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LIFE 



OF 



BISHOP FKEEMAJST, 

OF ARKANSAS. 



BY THE KEV. 

JOHN N. NORTON, D.D., 

Rector op Ascension Church, Franeport, Kt. ; 

Author of " Rockford Parish," " Short Sermons," "Life of Bishop 

Henshaw," &c. 



"His great integrity and purity of character, his single-hearted 
devotion to the duties of his office, his sincere and unaffected piety, 
while they secured him in life the respect of the Church, and espe- 
cially of his brethren, so they deserve to be witnessed to, now that 



his earthly life is ended."— Bishop Williams. 



** 



NEW YORK: 

&en. fro*. &$xnt. &. &. Virion nxxo €\xxxt\ 'goah £ otitis, 

762 BROADWAY. 

1867. 

V 



•Fills 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1807, by the Gen. 
Phot. Episc. Sunday School Union and Church Book Society, 
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for 
the Southern District of New York. 



xf «t UQfiry,. 



\*&° 



I 



,* 



asfcvt 



Little, Rennie & Co., Stereotypers, 

NEW YORK. 



TO 

WILLIAM T. READ, Esq., 

Op New Castle, Delaware, 

ONE OP BISHOP FREEMAN'S BEST AND FIRMEST 
FRIENDS. 



" I confess that if I could build a church in all respects to suit 
my own taste, I would build it in the solemn and beautiful style 
of the churches of England— the Gothic style ; and I would build 
it in enduring stone, that it might gather successive generations 
within its holy walls, that passing centuries might shed their hal- 
lowing charm around it, that the children might worship where 
their fathers had worshipped from age to age, and yet as if the 
spirit of their fathers still mingled in their holy rites." 

Dr. Orville Dewey {Unitarian). 

"I had rather go to church. We have better sermons, better 
prayers, better speaking, and softer music." 

John Adams' Letters. 



THE GENERAL PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL SUNDAY SCHOOL 
UNION AND CHURCH BOOK SOCIETY was organized at a meeting 
of the General Convention and others, in November, 1S26, for the pur- 
pose of providing approved books for Church Sunday School Libraries, 
and approved books of Instruction for Church Sunday Schools. 

This Society consists of the Bishops oi the Protestant Episeopal 
Church, of the Clergy of the same, of the Lay Deputies of the General 
Convention, and all other members of the Church who shall contribute 
not less than One Dollar annually to its' funds. 

Every member of the Church who contributes Thirty Dollars in one 
payment, is a Life Member; one who contributes Fifty Dollars at one 
time, is an Honorary Manager ; one who contributes One Hundred Dol- 
lars in one payment, is a Patron of the Society. 

Every Life Member is entitled to Two Dollars 1 worth of Books ; every 
Honorary Manager to Three and a Half Dollars 1 worth ; every Patron to 
Seven Dollars' worth of Books. The Books must be drawn each year, 
as arrearages are not allowed to accumulate. 

Meetings are held triennially, during the session of the General Con- 
vention. 

The Board of Managers consists of all the Bishops, and one hundred 
members elected triennially by the Society. 

The Executive Committee consists of all the Bishops, and twelve Cler- 
ical and twelve Lay members, elected annually by the Board of Mana- 
gers, who, together with the Secretary, Editor, and Treasurer, ex officio, 
conduct the business of the Society. 

The Union publishes Sunday School and Parish Library Books, Cards, 
Tracts, Books of Family and Private Devotion, Sunday School Requi- 
sites and Books of Instruction; also the Children's Magazine and 
Children's Guest. Depository, No. 762 Broadway, New York. 

The Annual Meeting of the Board of Managers is held in October, at 
the time of the meeting of the Board of Missions. 

TORM OF BEQUEST. 

I give and bequeath to "She (General Protestant Episcopal 5urt» 

fcarj School $mon anfc Cf)urch Sook ^orietrj," organized in the city 

of Philadelphia, in the year of our Lord 1S26, and incorporated by tho 

Legislature of the State of New York, April 15, 1S54, the sum of 

Dollars, to be applied to the uses and purposes of said Society . 



SOLICITATIONS. 



Every Churchman, and every Churchwoman 
throughout the United States and the Canadas, is 
solicited to become a member of this Society, either 
by annual subscription, or by being made a Life 
Member, or an Honorary Member, or a Patron. 
Payment may be made to the Agent, E. M. Duncan, 
or sent, addressed to the Treasurer, E. Haight, Esq., 
No. 762 Broadway, N. Y. 

For terms of Membership, see preceding page. 



PREFACE. 



n^HIS little book really needs no Preface. 
It is the simple record of a good man's 
life, written with no other purpose than that 
of telling the plain, unvarnished truth. 

It has been exceedingly gratifying to the 
author, to find that all parties in the Church 
are disposed to give him the credit of impar- 
tiality in these efforts to trace the histories 
of our departed Bishops. 



THE MAN OF GOD. 

He's Christ's ambassador, that man of God, 
Steward of God's own mysteries ! From on high 
His warrant is; his charge aloud to cry, 

And spread his Maker's attributes abroad; 

His works, His ark of mercy, and His rod 
Of justice; his to sinners to supply 
The means of grace, and point how they may fly 

Hell flames, and how Heaven's pathway must be trod. 

Hold him in honor on his works' account, 
And on his Master's ! Though a man he be, 

And with his flock partake corruption's fount, 
Holy and reverend is his ministry; 

And hark ! a voice sounds from the Heavenly mount, 
He that despiseth you, despiseth Me. 

Bishop Mant. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

PAGB 

A Christmas at St. Peter's, New York— The two Bishops— A 
striking text — Beginning the biography in due order — Father 
and mother— Dr. Freeman's public services— A taste for books 
descending from father to son— Reading the Bible through— 
The Bishop's visit to his native place— The old Quaker lady— 
" Don't you know me?" 13 

CHAPTER II. 

Not trained in the Church— Old Puritan leaven— A Prayer-Book 
found— The boys going forth to make their way in the world- 
Removal to North Carolina— Preparation for becoming a teacher 
—Entrance upon his work— Almost a Pre sbyterian— Frightened 
off— Grateful remembrances of old pupils — A beautiful reminis- 
cence from one of them— Meets with Bishop Ravens croft, and 
what followed 26 

CHAPTER III. 

Reminiscences of an eye-witness— The North Carolina Conven- 
tion of 1824— Some names which have since become well known 
— Mr. Freeman's difficulties and distrust of his own abilities — 
Anecdote of Bishop Ravenscroft— " Who told you to put in your 
balderdash ?"— Examination safely passed— Ordained Deacon— 
A pastor's labors no child's play— Brain work 27 



8 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER IV. 

PAGE 

First field of labor— Domestic relations— A good wife— Bishop 
Ravenscroft's attachment for Mr. Freeman— A noble pattern 
for imitation— Tidings from Newbern— Difficulty in preparing 
sermons— Christmas at Washington— The spirited black horse 
—"Little Andrew"— Mr. Mason's new gown and surplice— Ad- 
mitted to the priesthood— A diocese numbering three-and- 
twenty parishes 35 

CHAPTER Y. 

Awkward position for a deacon— Mr. Freeman's removal to 
Washington— Letter— visit to Greenville— Honest, homespun 
appearance of the congregation at Bath— Great gathering of 
Baptists— Providential escape from death— Advice needed by a 
novice in parochial labors— Healthy season— Ague and fever- 
Piloting a Bishop through tangled regions— " Turn to your 
right"— Desire for confirmation— Walking to church 42 

CHAPTER VI. 

The very best materials for a biography— More letters— Losing 
confidence in the climate— Talk about a removal— Confinement 
in school— Sheep without a shepherd— A task assigned by the 
Bishop— Brief holiday— " Preaching a funeral"— Afflictions de- 
signed in mercy— Seeking the Light— a plain text— An inter- 
esting baptism— Weekly lectures— " Is there any Presbyterian- 
ism in that ?" 54 



CHAPTER VII. 

Removal to Raleigh— Happy years— Interesting details— Grateful 
task— Mr. Freeman as a teacher of the " Raleigh Female Acad- 
emy"— The same man as a minister of the Gospel— Prejudices 
removed— "Just the man to enlighten our ignorance"— Char- 
acter of his preaching— Pastoral duties— Popularity with differ- 
ent denominations— Reasons which induced him to resign his 
charge— The good which afterward came of it— Great personal 
sacrifices 67 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

PAGE 

A few particulars, but important— Well-deserved honor—" Little 
Andrew 1 ' at the High-School of Virginia— Grateful tidings- 
Beautiful letters — A loving father's advice to his son — True 
views of the means of grace — Entering into Covenant with God 
— The solemn vow of confirmation— The Bible and its inter- 
preter, the Prayer-Book— Sacra Privata— The lad grown to be 
a clergyman 81 



CHAPTER IX. 

Death of a great man in Israel— Baptism of a colored child in 
church, and something important which followed— Apples and 
cakes in the closet— Attentions to the sick— Almost an elope- 
ment—Confession of wrong— An enemy changed into a friend— 
" Under the rose"— The Presbyterian minister's dilemma— Ex- 
pediency and the Divine right— How a straight-forward man 
answered a delicate question— A short sequel to a long story. . 92 



CHAPTER X. 

Reasons which led to Dr. Freeman's removal from Ealeigh— Let- 
ter of resignation— His views of worldly amusements— Reply 
of the Vestry— No one to start the tune— Farewell sermon- 
Pastor and people in tears— "Do you wish me to make a fool 
of myself again ?" 104 



CHAPTER XI. 

Going forth he knew not whither— Removal to Tennessee- 
Trinity Church, Swedesborough— A happy year at New Castle, 
Delaware— A call which could not be disobeyed— Bishop of 
the Southwest— Completely overwhelmed— Reluctant accept- 
ance of the mitre— The poor mariner— Consecration— A high 
day— Bishop Elliott's sermon , 114 



10 CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XII. 

PAGE 

Preparations for the first great missionary journey— A vast field 
— Adaptation for the work — Creation of a diocese — Discomforts 
and privations— Modes of travelling — Heat and cold — Hunger 
and thirst— Perils— Starting on an exploring expedition— Visit- 
ing the churches in Mississippi— An inspection of the mission- 
ary stations in Arkansas . . 120 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Sermon before the Board of Missions— First Triennial Report 
from the Bishop of the Southwest— State of the Church in Ar- 
kansas — Birds-eye view of missionary operations in Texas — 
Great lack of laborers— Condition of the Indian Territory—* 
Valuable suggestions 131 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Gleaning items— Services at Van Buren and other places— Cold 
weather— A pastor's labors— Departure for Texas— Galveston 
and Houston— An open boat-passage— San Antonio— German- 
town— Austin— Annual Convention— Ordination of a Method- 
ist preacher— importance of the " Mission-School." 143 

CHAPTER XV. 

Loud calls for help— The wanderings of 1853— Ninety miles 
through the mud, and the way lost— Mr. Meade— Services in 
private houses— Visit to La Mar County— English families- 
Refinements in the wilderness— A Presbyterian minister re- 
sponding—The service presented in its fulness — Another ex- 
emplification of the feasibility of his rule 152 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Domestic afflictions— Death of a son and wife— Sketch of Mrs. 
Freeman's life— Turning from Methodism to the Church — 
Archdeacon Daubeny— A ready and effective coadjutor— " Are 



CONTENTS. 11 

FAGB 

you sure you will not be found fighting against God?"— The 
"better missionary of the two— Death and burial— Letters of 
condolence— Bishop Freeman's reply to one of these 161 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Personal acquaintance with Bishop Freeman— The time and 
the place of our first interview— Appearance and manners- 
Hat and cane— An awkward introduction— Kind reception- 
Reminiscences of one who had entertained Bishop Freeman 
at his house— Traits of character— Not an extreme man— 
"How can I recommend the school?"— "A reviler of his 
brethren"— Mrs. Freeman 172 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Labors of 1856— Western visitation— Fort Smith— Services at 
Cane Hill— Confirmation of a farmer— Chicot County— Pro- 
tracted services— Intense cold— Encouragements— Instruction 
of negroes— Christmas presents— Uncertainty of steamboats- 
Texas Convention— A sad disappointment 178 

CHAPTER XIX. 

The last journey— The peculiar duties of a Missionary Bishop- 
Floods of rain — Services in private houses — Increasing interest 
in good things— Stopped short by sickness— One more journey 
to Texas — New railroad— Another Convention — Again disap- 
pointed—Close of last report to the Board 186 

CHAPTER XX. 

One laborer in a vast field— Hard work, and little to show for it 
— What Bishop Freeman had accomplished — Last official act — 
Account of a traveller— Joyous day — The end drawing near — 
Last hours— Burial— Outline of character 196 



LIFE OF 

BISHOP FREEMAN. 



(palter Jirtft. 



A CHRISTMAS AT ST. PETER'S, NEW YORK— THE TWO BISHOPS— A 
STRIKING TEXT— BEGINNING THE BIOGRAPHY IN DUE ORDER — 
FATHER AND MOTHER— DR. FREEMAN^ PUBLIC SERVICES— A TASTE 
FOR BOOKS DESCENDING FROM FATHER TO SON — READING THE 
BIBLE THROUGH— THE BISHOP'S VISIT TO HIS NATIVE PLACE— THE 
OLD QUAKER LADY—" DON'T YOU KNOW ME ?" 

|T was a cold Christmas morning, in the 
year of our redemption 1844, that I left 
my room at the General TheologicaL 
Seminary in the city of New York, and 
went forth to celebrate the Saviour's birthday. 
I had intended to go on to one of the more 
distant churches, but the keen, cutting wind 
induced me to change my mind, and I turned 
in at the gate of St. Peter's. Dr. Smith, the 



14 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

rector, had long been an invalid ; but at the 
liour appointed for worship he made his ap- 
pearance in the chancel, accompanied by two 
clergymen, who were strangers to me. The 
younger of these, a dignified, intelligent-look- 
ing man, took his place at the desk, and in 
deep and impressive tones began morning 
prayer. I afterwards learned that it was 
Bishop Polk, of Louisiana. 

At the close of the service, the other stranger 
ascended the pulpit. He was a tall, handsome 
man, his dark-brown hair well sprinkled with 
gray, and apparently several years the senior 
of the Bishop of Louisiana. He wore the 
usual black gown, and there was nothing, so 
far as clerical dress was concerned, to distin- 
guish him from the humblest deacon. 

In a voice somewhat harsh, but most dis- 
tinct and powerful, he announced the text of 
his Christmas sermon — 

The sixtieth chapter of the book of the 
"Prophet Isaiah, and the thirteenth verse : " The 
glory of Lebcmon shall come unto thee, the fir- 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. lo 

tree, the pine-tree, and the box together, to beautify 
the place of My sanctuary ; and I will make the 
place of My feet glorious"' 

The preacher paused, and then looking 
around upon the festoons of evergreens which 
adorned the walls of St. Peter's, he signifi- 
cantly remarked: "To-day, my brethren, is 
this scripture fulfilled in our eyes." 

An able and instructive discourse followed 
this striking beginning. 

The preacher was Bishop Freeman. 

But we must begin our work in due order. 
George Washington Freeman was born in 
Sandwich, Massachusetts, on the 13th of June, 
1789. His father, Nathaniel Freeman, was 
an eminent physican, and also distinguished 
for the interest which he took in those exciting 
events which led to the Revolutionary "War. 
During the long continuance of this struggle 
for independence, he was an earnest and de- 
voted patriot, and a member of the Massa- 
chusetts Congress in the memorable year 1775. 
For twelve years Dr. Freeman was a brigadier- 



16 LIFE OF BISHOP FBEEMAN. 

general, and, like Dr. Joseph Warren, who fell 
at Bunker Hill, he showed that a physician 
could handle the weapons of warfare as skilfully 
as the instruments belonging to his profession. 
He was also for more than thirty years Chief- 
Justice of the Common Pleas, besides filling 
other important places of public trust. 

The mother of the future Bishop of Arkan- 
sas was Tryphosa Cotton, of Killingly, Con- 
necticut, who became the wife of Dr. Freeman 
May 5th, 1763, and died July 11th, 1796, aged 
fifty-three. The Doctor was twice married, 
and the subject of this memoir was the young- 
est child of his first wife. The little boy had 
only reached his seventh year when he was 
bereft of an excellent and devoted mother, of 
whom it might, with more than usual pro- 
priety, be said : " Her children arise up and call 
Tier blessed ; her husband also, and he praiseth 
her." (Proverbs, xxxi. 28.) 

The father of the Bishop was a truly re- 
markable man ; a gentleman of the old school, 
fond of letters, and possessed of a large and 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 17 

choice library, not a small part being theo- 
logical, of which reading he was peculiarly 
fond. 

So much was this the case, that the preacher 
who attended his funeral remarked in the ser- 
mon, that " the deceased was better versed in 
divinity than many of its professors, afs an 
elaborate treatise or system of theology left 
by him in manuscript attests." 

The studies of his early profession were 
diligently prosecuted by Dr. Freeman even to 
the close of life, few men keeping pace more 
steadily with all improvements in medical 
science. His thirst for knowledge led him to 
explore every department of philosophy ; and 
in addition to his other reading, he undertook 
the study of law, at the busy period of the 
Revolution, by the advice and under the gui- 
dance of his maternal uncle, Chief-Justice 
James Otis, the father of the patriot.' The 
grandmother of the Bishop was an Otis, and 
his great-grandmother a Eussel. 

George seemed pre-eminently to inherit his 
2* 



IS LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEXAX. 

father s fondness for books, and the choice of 
his reading from early childhood was marked 
by a wisdom not common in one of his tender 
years. 

The following interesting record is found in 
his father's commonplace-book : " George has 
read, the Bible through when between six and 
seven years of age." 

Dr. Freeman had a very large family, and 
he had little to bequeath his children beyond 
the precious example of his own useful, hon- 
ored, patriotic, and Christian life. 

Our little hero was remarkable, from his 
earliest years, for his amiable disposition, 
obedience to his parents, respect for the aged, 
a generous heart, and a scrupulous regard for 
the truth and right. 

During one of the Bishop's latest visits to 
his native place, he expressed a desire to call 
upon some of the elders of the place, and 
among them was an excellent Quaker lady, 
whose memory was now most active, as is often 
the case with the aged, in recalling the scenes 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEXAN. 19 

and incidents of early life. On entering the 
room where she sat, the Bishop approached 
and gave her his hand. She not appealing to 
recollect him, he said. '"'Don't yon know me?" 
She looked intently for a moment, when, her 
face brightening, she replied : " Canst thou be 
he — he that was good little George'?*' 

The Bishop was evidently both amused and 
gratified. She recollected him from a natural 
mark of a raspberry upon one of his eyelids. 
She remembered very well that whilst other 
boys of his age visited her father's celebrated 
orchard uninvited, ;; George was a good boy, 
and always asked permission/' 



(papt^r $ttan&. 



NOT TRAINED IN THE CHURCH— OLD PURITAN LEAVEN—A PRAYER- 
BOOK POUND— THE BOYS GOING FORTH TO MAKE THEIR WAY IN 
THE WORLD— REMOVAL TO NORTH CAROLINA— PREPARATION FOR 
BECOMING A TEACHER— ENTRANCE UPON HIS WORK— ALMOST A 
PRESBYTERIAN— FRIGHTENED OFF— GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCES OF 
OLD PUPILS— A BEAUTIFUL REMINISCENCE FROM ONE OF THEM— 
MEETS WITH BISHOP RAVENSCROFT, AND WHAT FOLLOWED. 

)T was not Bishop Freeman's privilege to 
be trained up in the bosom of the Church 
at whose altars he so faithfully minis- 
tered, his parents being rigid Congrega- 
tionalists. His Puritan descent will account 
for some of his peculiarities of opinion, espe- 
cially his very strict notions in regard to 
worldly amusements. 

It seems, however, that although George 
was thus breathing an atmosphere most un- 
friendly to the growth of Episcopacy, he early 
formed an acquaintance with the Prayer-book, 
and learned to love it. The circumstance is 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 21 

one which the world call accidental, but devout 
Christians choose rather to refer such things 
to the overruling providence of God. 

One day, while our little student was search- 
ing his father's library for some work of amuse- 
ment, he found an old English Prayer-book, 
with which he was greatly pleased, and he 
often went back to the quiet corner of the 
well-filled bookcase to read it again and 
again. The Puritan parents would have been 
greatly alarmed had they known what direc- 
tion his thoughts were taking. 

Although Dr. Freeman was able to afford 
his children a comfortable home during their 
earlier years, and to give them the ordinary 
advantages of education, it was necessary 
that his sons should go forth, as soon as they 
were old enough, to make their own way in 
the world. An elder brother of the Bishop's 
had been teaching a school in North Carolina 
for about ten years, when he invited George 
to come down and prepare himself to be an 
instructor. This brother was a Presbyterian 



22 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

minister, and it was natural that during the 
two years which the younger passed beneath 
his roof, his early religious impressions should 
be strengthened, and that, too, in the particular 
form to which he had been accustomed from 
childhood. 

Having devoted himself very closely to 
study for the period just named, the young 
man, who was always ambitious to do well 
whatever he undertook, was induced to take 
charge of a private school at Shocco Springs. 

Next to the work of the ministry, there is 
no calling more important or honorable than 
that of an instructor, and the Middle, Western, 
and Southern States are much indebted to 
New England for having furnished so many 
competent and faithful teachers. 

Mr. Freeman afterward acted as an assist- 
ant in the Academy at Ealeigh, where he 
made up his mind, with the light which was 
then afforded him, to unite with the Presby- 
terians. But the strong points of Calvinism, 
upon examining them with a view to this step, 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 23 

seemed to him so repulsive, that lie instinct- 
ively drew back, and waited to look about 
him, and search the Scriptures with still 
greater diligence and more earnest prayer. 

Meanwhile, his services as a teacher were 
duly appreciated, and he was called to take 
charge of several literary institutions, among 
which were the Academies at Oxford and 
Warburton. Many of his pupils still survive 
him, who cherish grateful remembrances of 
his sound and thorough instruction. 

Although it is anticipating the regular course 
of the narrative by many years, this seems 
the most fitting place for inserting the follow- 
ing beautiful tribute from Bishop Hawks's ad- 
dress to the Convention of Missouri, in May, 
1858. 

" As a subject of deep interest to the Prot- 
estant Episcopal Church in these United 
States, and one which has called up very ten- 
der emotions in my bosom, I may now men- 
tion the recent departure from this life of the 
Et. Eev. George "Washington Freeman, D. D., 



2J: LITE OF BISHOP FKEEXAS. 

our Missionary Bisliop in the Southwest. At 
an advanced age, though not aged in his Epis- 
copate, after thirteen years of hard and un- 
ceasing struggle for the Church, in the desolate 
region assigned to him, a Christian Bishop 
has gone to rest. 

" But to me, the departed was something 
more than a Christian Bishop. In my native 
town, in North Carolina, he was one of the 
preceptors of my early youth, before my en- 
trance upon collegiate duty as a student of 
the University. 

"Boys do not always remember with ten- 
derness the teachers who have had the charge 
of their youth ; yet will I say that the manli- 
ness, truthfulness, and consistency of this 
good man claimed the love of my boyhood — 
that manhood, with me, only mellowed that 
love into softer and yet deeper hues, until 
professional association and sympathy fully 
proved to me that the affections of my boy- 
hood had not been misplaced. There are 
those companions of my school-boy days still 



LUX OF BISHOP FEEEMA^. 25 

living, to whose bosoms the tidings of Lis 
death will bring like feelings to -7 own ; for 
his fearless honesty, his hearty sincerity, his 

riess fidelity,, his Christian firmness, 
hi- ing principle, were proverb:?! with 

us all. 

;; "Well do I remen hen I last met him. 

at the time of our late General Convention in 
Philadelphia. In company with another of 
Ids former pupils, I called upon him. "We 
talked of former days. Am;n_ ether things. 
he showed us the star: uy: t: _ : "hy 

and gifted Bavenscruft 

walked, and which had been given to him by 
one of his presbyters. "What srn :: tb- 
Church does not reverence the name of 
Bavenseroft. the first Bishop of North C 
lina ? Yet, as we c y. .. r - y ■_ ." -_ T . 

joiced that the staff was still cairie." ' ~ :::-. 
as honest and as true as Eavenscroft. Of the 
late good Bishop of the Southwest we may 
all sav. -he has foimht a m:i imht. he has 
finished his course, he has kept the faith ; 



26 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of 
righteousness.' " 

It was during Mr. Freeman's residence at 
Warrenton that he became acquainted with 
that remarkable man, the Rev. John S. Ravens- 
croft, then a clergyman in the diocese of 
Virginia, and afterward Bishop of North 
Carolina. Through his instrumentality the 
conscientious teacher was induced to examine 
the claims of the Protestant Episcopal Church ; 
and the result was what might have been ex- 
pected in one who had no favorite theories to 
serve, and who, with singleness of purpose, as 
in the sight of God, was looking for the truth. 

He became a most zealous and devoted 
Churchman, and every year of his life his 
principles were more firmly established and 
his affections more warmly engaged. ♦ 



(papier SJhird. 



REMINISCENCES OP AN EYE-WITNESS— THE NORTH CAROLINA CON- 
VENTION OF 1824— SOME NAMES WHICH HAVE SINCE BECOME WELL 
KNOWN— MR. FREEMAN'S DIFFICULTIES AND DISTRUST OF HIS OWN 
ABILITIES— ANECDOTE OF BISHOP RAVENSCROFT— " WHO TOLD YOU 
TO PUT IN YOUR BALDERDASH ?"— EXAMINATION SAFELY PASSED— 
ORDAINED DEACON— A PASTOR'S LABORS, NO CHILD'S PLAY— BRAIN 
WORK. 

)N 1824, the Eev. Eobert B. Croes (son of 
the Bishop of New Jersey), who had 
lately graduated at the General Theo- 
logical Seminary, went forth upon an 
extensive tour, through various parts of the 
Union, to collect funds for the endowment 
of this important Institution. Among other 
States, he visited North Carolina, and was 
present at the Convention which was held in 
St. John's Church, WilLiamsborough, on Thurs- 
day, the sixth of May, and which continued in 
session until the Monday following. 

" The interest of this Convention," remarks 



28 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

Mr. Croes, in a letter to the author, " grew out 
of the fact that it was the first time that 
Bishop Eavenscroft met his clergy and laity. 
The sermon, from the text, 'By whom shall 
Jacob arise? for he is small' (Amos, vii. 8), 
was powerful, and the matter — some of it at 
least — was unexpected, as he urged his people 
to give only to Church purposes. They had 
bestowed too much for objects antagonistic to 
the Church. 

"Mr. George W. Freeman was, I think, 
a lay member of the Convention. He then 
resided at Baleigh, and taught. He was so 
diffident of himself, that he could not, for 
a considerable time, make up his mind to 
enter the ministry. 

" Mr. James H. Otey (now Bishop of Ten- 
nessee), was a candidate for orders, teaching 
at Warrenton. The Bev. William M. Green 
(the present Bishop of Mississippi) had a 
small parish in the western part of the State. 
The Bev. B. S. Mason was at Newbern, and 
the Bev. Adam Empie at Wilmington." 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 29 

Such, references to the past are most inter- 
esting at this distance of time ; and it is pleas- 
ant to know that all of those mentioned in 
this epistle afterward became distinguished 
in the Church, and are most of them still 
living, and laboring with good success in the 
Master's vineyard. 

Mr. Croes refers to Mr. Freeman's hum- 
ble opinion of his own fitness for the 
sacred duties of the ministry. This un- 
affected diffidence and distrust of self is 
discovered also in a letter, addressed to 
Bishop Eavenscroft a few months before his 
ordination : 

" I shall have great need of your indulgence," 

he says, "when you come to examine me, and 

perhaps still more of your assistance in the 

preparation of a few sermons to begin with. 

My discouragements have been and are many. 

I suppose there are few men under so slavish 

a sense of their inferiorities, in point of mind, 

as myself. Every new preacher I hear adds 

greatly to my despondency. I yesterday 

3* 



30 LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 

heard a young Methodist, and I was compelled 
to believe I should suffer by a comparison of 
my productions with his. You will say all 
this proceeds from pride, and I partly believe 
it ; but what can I do ? I pray to be delivered 
from it, and I strive against it ; but the root 
of the matter remains. Oh! I beseech you, 
add your prayers to mine, that I ' may be so 
guided and governed by the Holy Spirit that 
I may be led into the way of truth, and hold 
the faith in unity of the Spirit, in the bond of 
peace, and in righteousness of life ;' that I may 
be so deeply impressed with a sense of the 
importance of the work of the ministry and 
the value of immortal souls, as to be willing 
to endure every species of mortification and 
contumely, in endeavoring to advance the 
Redeemer's kingdom and promote the salva- 
tion of my fellow-men ; and that the thoughts, 
desires, and imagination of my heart may be 
so ' cleansed by the inspiration of God's Holy 
Spirit, that I may perfectly love Him, and 
worthily magnify His Holy Name,' and give 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 31 

■+ 

up myself unreservedly to His service, and 
walk before Him in holiness and righteous- 
ness all the days of my life." 

Perhaps Mr. Freeman's nervous apprehen- 
sions of his approaching examination arose, in 
part, from the fact that the Bishop had the 
reputation of being rather a severe critic. 
We shall venture to give one characteristic 
anecdote to illustrate this point. 

He was making a visitation to a parish in 
North Carolina, over which a young deacon 
from a neighboring diocese had recently been 
called to preside. The newly-fledged clergy- 
man read, and the Bishop preached. Instead 
of going according to the rubrics in the order 
of the service, the young man mutilated every 
part to suit his fancy, and wound up with 
a prayer of his own. 

As soon as the service was ended, the 
Bishop fastened his keen eye on the offender 
as he turned from the desk, and said in a tone 
of voice which could be heard by many of the 
congregation while they passed down the 



32 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 



'£. 



church, "Young man, who told you to put in 
your balderdash ?" * 

Anecdotes of great men are preserved, not 
so much to show others how they themselves 

* Although we have already published a Life of Bishop 
Bavenscroft, our readers will surely pardon us for insert- 
ing two anecdotes of him, furnished by a correspondent 
of the Church Journal, for October 6th, 1858 : " Soon 
after the Bishop assumed the Episcopate of North Caro- 
lina, he came to Edenton and preached. I was a small 
boy then, but I have ever since remembered his great 
brows, and his dignified manner. The Rev. Thomas 
Skinner, a Presbyterian, was expected about the same 
time ; and, according to custom, a note was sent to all the 
places of worship in town, to be read to the several con- 
gregations. After service, the Bishop took up the note, 
read it to himself, and then put it back, without even 
apologizing. This gave great offence, because Mr. Skin- 
ner had many wealthy and influential connections in the 
community, and was highly distinguished in his own 
sphere. But it made no difference with the Bishop, for 
he could not give countenance to what he deemed 
heresy. 

" Some time after, the Bishop made a visit to Hertford, 
in Perquiman's County, where the Church was weak and 



LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 33 

should act, as to bring before us vivid pictures 
of sucli persons as they really appeared to 
those who saw and heard them when alive 
upon the earth. 

Mr. Freeman passed his examination safely, 
and was ordained Deacon by Bishop Ravens- 
croft, in the Episcopal chapel at Raleigh, on 
Sunday, the 8th of October, 1826. He had 
now reached the thirty-seventh year of his 
age, and was resolved, by God's help, to de- 
vote the residue of his life to the noblest pur- 

tlie Baptist denomination very strong. The Patriarch of 
the Baptists was 'old Father Ross,' who was as much 
loved and respected as any Bishop could be. 'Father 
Ross' called to see the Bishop ; and, in the course of their 
conversation said to him : ' Bishop, as you have no house 
to worship in here, make use of mine in the country; 
you are welcome to it, and I will have a congregation for 
you.' The Bishop gladly accepted the offer, and at the 
appointed time went and met a large congregation. 
'Father Ross conducted him to the pulpit, and then 
followed him up the pulpit steps; the Bishop hearing 
him coming turned about and said, l One at a time, if 
you please.' ' 



34 LIFE OF BISHOP FBEEMAN. 

suits which can occupy the thoughts of man. 
And, truly, he did not disappoint the hopes of 
those who had encouraged him to take these 
solemn yows. Mr. Freeman's life was one of 
persevering labor. He could well adopt the 
language of Dr. Plumer, and say, upon a re- 
view of all that he had endured : " I tell you, 
a pastor's labors are no child's play. I have 
swung the axe and the grubbing-hoe, have 
handled the plough, the cradle, and the scythe ; 
I have had to work till this stiffened arm 
bears proof of its severity : but all this work 
was play, mere play, when compared to the 
labors of a pastor — to this brain-work, which 
wears out the whole man." 



(Chapter dfflttrtft. 




ITRST FIELD OF LABOR— DOMESTIC RELATIONS— A GOOD WIFE— BISHOP 
RAYENSCROFT'S ATTACHMENT FOR MR. FREEMAN — A NOBLE PAT- 
TERN FOR IMITATION— TIDINGS FROM NEWBERN— DIFFICULTY IN 
PREPARING SERMONS — CHRISTMAS AT WASHINGTON— THE SPIRITED 
BLACK HORSE— vt LITTLE ANDREW"— MR. MASON'S NEW GOWN AND 
SURPLICE— ADMITTED TO THE PRIESTHOOD— A DIOCESE NUMBER- 
INGT HREE-AND-TWENTY PARISHES. 

jCqraR. FREEMAN'S first field of labor 
J|L embraced Washington (together with 
Bath), Durham's Creek, and Zion 
Chapel. The nature of his work may 
be best learned from his own letters, from 
which we shall presently give some extracts. 

We have thus far said nothing of his 
domestic relations. He married a most ex- 
cellent and accomplished woman (Mrs. Ann 
Tates Gholson, of Virginia), in 1818 — of 
whom we shall have much more to record 
hereafter ; suffice it, in this place, to add that 
she proved herself such a wife as any clergy- 



36 LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 

man might account a help meet for him — 
a treasure given him by the Lord. 

Bishop Eavenscroft had taken a great 
fancy to Mr. Freeman from the first ; and the 
strength of this attachment was increased 
year by year. It is not strange, therefore, 
that the clergyman should find his heart 
drawn toward his Bishop, and that he should 
look up to him as his example. And where 
could we hope to find a pattern of devotion 
to God's service more perfect and entire than 
that which was manifested in the daily life of 
the venerable Bishop of North Carolina? He 
was not only ready and willing to work, but 
he knew how and when his efforts should be 
made. 

Our first tidings concerning Mr. Freeman 
after he began his clerical labors are con- 
tained in the following letters, of which, I am 
sure, no one will lose a single word. 



LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 37 

" Newbern, January 8th, 1827. 

" Eight Eey. and Dear Sir : 

"In obedience to your mandates, on my 
arrival here in October, I entered upon the 
arduous task of endeavoring to prepare and 
preach one sermon a week during Mr. Ma- 
son's absence, and by dint of delving and 
borrowing I succeeded in doing so for five 
successive Sundays; but the sixth, whether 
from dulness, hypochondria, or downright 
laziness, or all combined, I know not, I to- 
tally failed, and the church remained closed. 
Since then I have not written a sermon. I 
begin to be ready to confess that the whip 
and spur are absolutely necessary for me. 

" By request, I performed service and 
preached in "Washington, on Christmas-day 
and the day preceding ; and though the wea- 
ther was excessively cold, the congregation 
was very respectable for numbers, and my 
poor services appeared to be much more ac- 
ceptable than I had any right to expect. It 
was indeed a very gratifying visit. While 



38 LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 

there, I was called on to visit a dying man, 
and afterward to attend his funeral. I have 
promised to visit them occasionally ; but, as 
they were good enough to pay me eight dol- 
lars, the amount of my expenses, and prob- 
ably will think themselves bound to do the 
same again, I feel some reluctance to repeat- 
ing the visit, since that amount is more than 
my wretched performances are worth. I may 
observe, however, that on ordinary occasions 
the expenses would not be so much, as I should 
only have to pay for a horse and gig two 
days, instead of four. Ought I to hesitate to 
repeat my visit ? and if not, how often ought 
I to go ? 

" Mr. Mason would cheerfully lend me the 
Blade, but I am afraid of him ; so am obliged 
to hire. I wish I could afford to keep a horse. 
It would give me great pleasure to be able to 
preach somewhere in the surrounding country 
nearly every Sunday. 

" Did Mrs. E receive the two barrels of 

flour, and did it turn out as could be wished ? 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 39 

I am anxious to hear. It was with great diffi- 
culty an opportunity to send it could be met 
with, or it would have been sent sooner. 

" I learned (from Mr. Haywood), with great 
concern, that you have been unwell since your 
return from Convention. I am apprehensive 
you administer to yourself with too heavy a 
hand. Ought you not to consider that a per- 
son of your age is not so able to bear the 
operation of powerful medicines, as one with 
a younger, and, consequently, more vigorous 
constitution ? And ought not a regard for the 
safety, honor, and welfare of the infant Church 
in your diocese, to influence you to take par- 
ticular care of your health, especially since 
you have so lately seen what an unhappy, not 
to say disgraceful state of things may grow 
out of an attempt to elect another Bishop ? 

"Mrs. Freeman joins me in assurances of 
great regard, both for yourself and Mrs. Ea- 
venscroft. We are truly sensible of all your 
kindnesses, and would gladly reciprocate them. 
Little Andrew says he wants to see c Aunt 



40 LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 

Bavenscroft' and the Bishop very much. Our 
children all have the whooping-cough at this 
time — even the youngest, who is only eleven 
weeks old. He is yet without a name ; would 
that you or Mrs. Eavenscroft would help us to 
one for him. 

"Mr. and Mrs. Mason and children are 
well. He is at present in all his glory. His 
congregation have just furnished a surplice, 
and presented him with a splendid gown. 
I think he is in better spirits than I have ever 
known him. 

" I am, dear sir, very respectfully, 
" Your obedient servant 

" and son in the Gospel, 

" Geoege W. Feeeman." 

The reference to Mr. Mason's spirited black 
horse is amusing, and must have made Mr. 
Freeman smile in after-years, when his exten- 
sive field of labor obliged him to become more 
at home in the saddle. 

Other parishes, besides that at Newbern, 



LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 41 

may learn from this letter how gratifying it is 
to a pastor to be reminded, by the kind atten- 
tions of his people, that he occupies a warm 
place in their hearts. 

Having continued to discharge the duties 
of a deacon for about eight months, Mr. Free- 
man was admitted to the priesthood (or 
second grade of the ministry) by Bishop 
Eavenscroft, on the 20th of May, 1827. The 
service was held in Christ Church, Newbern. 

The Diocese of North Carolina, at this time, 

numbered twenty-three parishes. 

4* 



<pagi*[r Jtjftft. 



AWKWARD POSITION FOR A DEACON --MR. FREEMAN S REMOVAL 
TO WASHINGTON— LETTER— -VISIT TO GREENVILLE— HONEST, HOME- 
SPUN APPEARANCE OF THE CONGREGATION AT BATH— GREAT GATH- 
ERING OF BAPTISTS— PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE FROM DEATH— ADVICE 
NEEDED BY A NOVICE IN PAROCHIAL LABORS— HEALTHY SEASON— 
'AGUE AND FEVER— PILOTING A BISHOP THROUGH TANGLED REGIONS 
— " TURN TO YOUR RIGHT"— DESIRE FOR CONFIRMATION— WALKING 
TO CHURCH. 

jS it is rather awkward and unpleasant 
for a clergyman who is only in deacon's 
orders, to be stationed at such a dis- 
tance from his clerical brethren that 
they cannot come to administer the Holy 
Communion to his people occasionally, it was 
wise in Mr. Freeman to defer his removal to 
"Washington until after his admission to the 
priesthood. The following letter, written to 
Bishop Ravenscroft, will furnish the best 
account which can be given of the state of 
things there and in the neighboring country. 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 43 

" Washington, N. C, July 27th, 1827. 

" Eight Eey. and Dear Sir : 

" I have not been unmindful of niy promise 
to write to you from my new residence ; but 
the delay has been occasioned by a desire 
to have first visited the several congregations 
within my bounds. My visit last Sunday to 
Greenville completed the rounds. I was very 
much pleased with the honest, homespun ap- 
pearance of the congregation of St. Thomas, 
Bath. It was a novel and truly gratifying 
thing to overtake in the road, several miles 
this side of that place, a number of people 
footing it to church through the dust and 
heat, with then 1 coats hanging on their 
arms, in all the zeal of the ancient Israelites, 
in their best days, paying their quarterly 
visit to the Temple. The congregation was 
respectable as to numbers, and remark- 
ably attentive. In the course of the ser- 
vice I baptized one infant, gave notice for 
the Communion on the next visit, and in- 



44 LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 

formed them that on all future visits I 
would catechise such children as should be 
present. 

" On Sunday week last I preached the 
second time in this place ; and administered 
the Communion to about forty persons, and in 
the afternoon baptized six children. 

" At Greenville last Sunday I had, as I ex- 
pected, a small congregation, though larger 
than circumstances seemed to warrant. There 
was a great gathering of the Baptists in town, 
and they occupied the Academy — the usual 
place of worship for our people — so that we 
had to use the Court-house. But I have 
never preached or performed the service with 
so much animation and earnestness (of man- 
ner at least) as on this occasion; whether 
with any good effect time must determine, 
though I think a single blow at such long 
intervals is not calculated to produce very re- 
markable benefits, even in a long run. As 
there are but one or two communicants con- 
nected with this congregation, I did not think 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 45 

it necessary to make an appointment for the 
Communion at present. 

" Day before yesterday I had a narrow and 
most providential escape, apparently from the 
jaws of death. I rode out to Mr. Thomas H. 
Blount's, about a mile from town, with my 
nephew, Dr. D. Freeman, in a gig drawn by 
a young, mettlesome, and uncommonly power- 
ful, but, I believe, gentle horse. The shafts 
of the gig being much too short for the horse, 
and the harness being without breeching, 
when we came to descend the slope in front 
of Blount's house, on our return, the gig 
pressed with all its weight upon the creature's 
ha inches ; this urged him into a trot, which, 
by the time we reached the level ground, was 
changed into full speed; and away we were 
borne, with the rapidity of the wind, toward 
apparent destruction. "We were still in Mr. 
Blount's inclosure, and our course w^as 
straight toward the gate, which was but a few 
hundred yards distant, and shut; and such 
was the velocity with which we were hurried 



46 LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 

along, that we doubted not that the sudden 
stop of the horse, when he reached it, would 
occasion a shock sufficient to throw us over 
into the public road, or that as sudden a turn 
would produce even a worse catastrophe. 
But when we reached the gate, the horse 
made an effort to jump it, and so far suc- 
ceeded as to shatter the gate to pieces, and 
open a passage for gig and horse; but the 
effort occasioned a momentary cessation of our 
motion, so that at the very instant when the 
shafts and forepart of the gig were shattered 
to atoms, we landed upon our feet on opposite 
sides, not only without the slightest injury, 
but insensible of the least concussion of our 
frames ; and yet so transient was the oppor- 
tunity thus afforded, that the horse had re- 
covered and was off again at his former speed, 
with the shaftless gig now turned under the 
axletree, before we could turn round to seize 
him. It was indeed to our apprehensions a 
most wonderful deliverance ; and I hope we 
shall never cease to be thankful to Almighty 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 47 

God for such a manifest evidence of His ten- 
der mercies to miserable sinners. 

" I shall be truly pleased to hear from you 
and Mrs. Ravenscroft. Pray write soon, and 
say what is the health of both ; and give me 
such instructions and suggestions as you 
may think a novice in clerical and parochial 
concerns is likely to require. My school en- 
grosses much time, and consequently most 
of my thoughts. I shall not be surprised if 
I overlook many important duties. I fear 
I shall not succeed in discharging my duty 
faithfully, either to my congregations or school. 
I have but just finished going the rounds, in 
visiting my flock for the first time. In many 
instances I have been obliged to take direc- 
tions for their residence, and introduce my- 
self. This is not so pleasant ; but they all 
readily recognized me, and seemed more 
than gratified with a visit from their pastor ; 
and that is pleasant. Very few of my congre- 
gation give themselves the trouble to call on 
me. But they will not escape my hands so 



48 LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 

easily : if they do not come to see me, I shall 
not fail to call on them as often as opportunity 
occurs, and there is hope of doing them good. 
" The general health of the place continues 
good; no case of bilious fever within my 
knowledge. I have but one person on my 
sick-list, and she is an old lady upwards of 
seventy years of age — Mrs. Ben. Blount. 
" I am, with great respect and affection, 
" Your obedient son in the Gospel, 
" Geo. W. Feeeman." 

Many months pass away, and the next letter 
from Mr. Freeman to his Bishop conveys the 
unpleasant intelligence of failing health. It 
affords, also, a very good idea of what kind 
of labor all classes of the clergy are obliged 
to perform in new settlements, and among the 
people of rural districts. 

" Washington, K C, March 31, 1829. 
" Bight Bev. and Deae Sie : 

"I write under the influence of great de- 
bility, both of mind and body. I have had 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 49 

a return of my old disease, the ague and fever ; 
the attack has been short, but pretty severe, 
and I was unable to attend church on Sunday. 
To-day I am free from fever, and decidedly, 
I think, convalescent ; and I hope to be able 
to start to-morrow on a tour of visitation, 
which is to terminate in meeting you at 
Durham's Creek on Monday evening next. 

" I need not give you any directions respect- 
ing the road to St. John's, as Mr. Ellison and 
Mr. Robinson have promised to meet you in 
Newbern, and bring you on your way. Should 
they disappoint us, however, you will cross the 
river at Newbern by Bell's Ferry, whence, by 
the usual caution of inquiring, you will find 
your way without difficulty. About twenty 
miles from Newbern you come into the road 
leading from Durham's Creek to Trinity 
Chapel; down this road you turn to your 
right. About half a mile from this point the 
road forks, the left leading to the old ferry on 
the Pamptico, the right to Durham's Creek. 
In the fork of this road you will see a house, 



50 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

the residence of a Mr. Wood, a Methodist 
local preacher, inclined to reform, a very 
friendly, hospitable man, with whom I have 
stayed all night. He very particularly de- 
sired me to invite you to call on him, and 
get your dinner ; and he will expect you to do 
so. He has also made known his hospitable 
wishes to Mr. Ellison, who will doubtless lead 
you there, should he be with you. His wife 
is sister to Major Archbell, one of our folks, 
and though a Methodist, would be very will- 
ing to come back to the jOhurch — at least such 
is my impression. 

" About a mile from this place, on the road 
up the river, is a family which I am anxious 
you should visit, if you have time. Mrs. 

P , and her sister Mrs. T , are desirous 

of being confirmed. The former is a poor 
afflicted creature, and totally unable to go 
from home, and the latter is confined by at- 
tendance on her. I have had some conversa- 
tion with them, have appointed to preach in 
their house on Friday next, and encouraged 



LIFE OF BISHOP EKEEMAN. 51 

them to hope that you would stop there, and 
confirm them and administer the Holy Com- 
munion, on your way up from St. John's. 
Now, if you could stop and see them a few 
minutes, on your way down, you would be 
better able to judge of the propriety of com- 
plying with their wishes. 

"Mr. E expressed to me a desire, as 

also his wife, to be confirmed. Will you be 
good enough to converse with him on the sub- 
ject, and give him your views without reserve? 
I do not know what to think of these hardened 
sinners, who are for making a profession of 
religion without giving evidence in their lives 
and conversation that the subject is to them 
the all-important one. I know nothing against 

Mr. E 5 s moral character, and I hope he is 

serious and determined to live a new life ; yet 
I am afraid he may be deceiving himself, and 
I have not confidence enough to probe him. 

" I do not think it would be prudent or 
right to leave Bath out. It should be recol- 
lected that perhaps a majority of our country 



52 LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 

congregations are persons who have no means 
of conveyance to church but such as nature has 
provided for them. One old man, a constant 
attendant at Bath in all weathers, has to walk 
seven or eight miles ; and so zealous a Church- 
man is he — so devoted— it would be a pity 
that he should not have the (to him) exquisite 
pleasure of seeing his Bishop once a year. 
But I expect to have one or two candidates 
for confirmation in that congregation. 

"I very much regret that your arrange- 
ments could not have been such as to enable 
you to officiate also at Zion Cliafd. In that 
vicinity is a large number of Episcopalians, 
generally poor, hard-working people, who 
nearly all walk to church, and to whom it is 
a serious undertaking to get as far as Bath or 
Washington. It is my opinion that, in your 
future arrangements of visitation, you should 
allot two Sundays to this part of the vineyard, 
embracing Beaufort and part of Pitt counties. 

" Brother Goodman gave me reason to hope 
he would accompany you; pray bring him 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 53 

along, that he may see something of the wil- 
derness in which we labor. 

" I am, Eight Eev. and dear Sir, 
" Very affectionately, 

" Your humble servant 

" and son in the Gospel, 
" George W. Freeman." 
5* 



<pajjt*r £i*tft. 




THE VERT BEST MATERIALS FOR A BIOGRAPHY— MORE LETTERS— LOS- 
ING CONFIDENCE IN THE CLIMATE— TALK ABOUT A REMOVAL— CON- 
FINEMENT IN SCHOOL — SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD — A TASK 
ASSIGNED BY THE BISHOP— BRIEF HOLIDAY — "PREACHING A FUNE- 
RAL"— AFFLICTIONS DESIGNED IN MERCY— SEEKING THE LIGHT— A 
PLAIN TEXT— AN INTERESTING BAPTISM— WEEKLY LECTURES—" IS 
THERE ANY PRESBYTERIANISM IN THAT ?" 

^E have little to guide us in our attempt 
to record what happened during the 
earlier years of Mr. Freeman's ministry 
besides his own letters; but, after all, 
these furnish the very best materials for the 
purpose. They contain a plain unvarnished 
narrative of things as they actually occurred, 
and express his own views and feelings upon 
various occasions of joy and grief. "We are 
sure, therefore, that our readers will be glad 
to have as many of these communications 
as we are able to furnish. 
The next letter to Bishop Eavenscroft which 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 55 

has been preserved, is dated from "Washington, 
March 12th, 1828. The task assigned him by 
the Bishop, to which he refers, was that of 
preparing a sermon to be preached before the 
next Convention of the Diocese. 

" Eight Eev. and Dear Sir : 

After the long interval of ignorance respect- 
ing your movements and prospects which had 
passed since we parted at Bath, to receive 
yonr letter was like cold water to a thirsty 
soul. Bumor had at one time fixed you at 
Wilmington, afterward at Newbern, and at 
length at Williamsboro ; when your favor 
came to put an end to all our doubts and 
speculations. 

" I am truly sorry to learn that your health 
has suffered from your exposure and fatigue, 
but trust the climate and the comparative 
repose of Williamsboro will be rendered effi- 
cacious to restore it. I believe that to be 
a much more eligible situation for you than 
either Baleigh, Wilmington, or Newbern, but 



56 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

am apprehensive yon will not materially im- 
prove your pecuniary circumstances by giving 
it tlie preference. "What do tliey promise to 
do for you ? 

" My own health has considerably improved 
of late. It is now five or six weeks since I had 
an attack of the ague ; and I am not without 
hope that it has left me entirely, at least till 
summer. But my confidence in the climate 
of this region is quite gone. I see no reason 
to expect the permanent health either of my- 
self or family, in this country of fogs and 
swamps. Indeed, the labor to which I am 
subject is greater than I could reasonably 
hope to sustain with unimpaired health, even 
in a much healthier climate : and then my 
wife and little ones, — as summer approaches, 
I shall be in continued dread on their account. 
Add to this, the expense and trouble of an 
annual journey with so large a family, must 
necessarily keep me behindhand, and there is 
no certainty that the amount of support stipu- 
lated this year will be continued. Bath, it is 



LITE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 57 

thought, since the removal of Jesse Bryan, 
will go to the wall; and indeed both that 
place and Greenville are considerably in ar- 
rears for the current year, insomuch that I am 
not free of doubt respecting the collection of 
what has been covenanted. 

"In these circumstances, I have been led 
to meditate much on my long-contemplated 
removal to Botetourt, and have become fully 
convinced that a regard to the interests of my 
family requires that I should carry it into 
effect. But I want the courage to break the 
matter to the vestries, and have delayed it 
perhaps longer than I ought, though my en- 
gagement was specially for one year. Tet if 
I make up my mind to leave them, I ought to 
give them immediate notice of it, that they 
may be upon the lookout for a successor. 

"I shall leave this interesting portion of 
the Church with much regret. I find nothing 
to complain of in my situation, but the un- 
healthiness of the climate and the confine- 
ment of my school, unless I may add the diffi- 



58 LIFE OF BISHOP EKEEMAN. 

culty of commanding money when I w&nt it ; 
but that I should have to encounter anywhere. 
So far as I know, my services are acceptable, 
and particularly in the country congregations 
(I always thought myself better qualified for 
a country than a town parson), and I receive 
all the attentions and kindnesses I could 
wish. Indeed, were this a healthy climate 
I could be content to remain where I am, nor 
should I expect to find a more agreeable situ- 
ation. In fact, so sore a trial will it be to 
leave these people — as I fear I shall leave 
them as sheep without a shepherd — that were 
it not for the possibility that I may have been 
instrumental in some measure in promoting 
the cause of our Master by my labors among 
them, I should seriously regret my having re- 
moved to this place. 

" I should be glad of your advice as to the 
propriety of making an immediate communi- 
cation of my views to the vestry. I cannot 
say that I have formed a positive determina- 
tion to leave them, but I am at present 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 59 

strongly inclined to think I shall do so. I 
would avoid being too precipitate, as well as 
the opposite extreme. 

" I cannot say I am well satisfied with the 
task you have assigned to me at the Conven- 
tion. I hope you will think better of it. Only 
consider what my labors are. Daily jaded 
with the drudgery of a school, consisting of 
children of all sorts and sizes, and both sexes, 
I find myself incapable of mental exertion 
till Saturday, and accordingly on that day 
I have, commonly, nearly the whole of my 
sermon to write, if the following Sunday be 
my appointment in town. But if not, then 
I have to leave home by Thursday, to perform 
service at Trinity on my way to Greenville ; or 
on Friday afternoon, so as to be at Colonel 
Vine's in time for Mr. Ellison's boat on Satur- 
day morning. Thus I have but tivo effective 
days in a month, and these, you well know, are 
too little for the work I have to do. 

" Now, judge you whether a Convention ser- 
mon, prepared under such circumstances, and 



60 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

by me, can hold out any promise of edifica- 
tion. Nevertheless, if you insist, the attempt 
must be made. I believe I could find many 
other things to say, but I have already 
wearied you with this enormous epistle. I 
wish you may be able to read it. I was 
under the necessity of contracting the hand- 
writing, in order to say what I deemed ne- 
cessary. 

" Mrs. Freeman unites with me in expres- 
sions of affectionate regard to Mrs. Eavens- 
croft and yourself, and best wishes for the 
better health of you both. 

" Tour affectionate and 

" dutiful son in Christ, 

" Geo. "W. Freeman." 

During the summer of 1828, Mr. Freeman 
allowed himself a brief holiday in visiting his 
friends — a respite from labor which was much 
needed by him. 

Upon his return to "Washington, early in 
the autumn, he takes occasion to inform the 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 61 

Bishop of various things which had occurred 
among his parishioners. 

"Since my return, I have preached the 
funeral (as it is called) of Mrs. James Blount, 
one of our most valuable members, who died 
suddenly, a few days before I arrived. This 
is the only instance of mortality among the 
adults of the congregation, unless two other 
females, who seldom attended church, but 
were buried after our manner, may be consid- 
ered such. But among the children there 
have been several deaths, the most afflictive 
of which, was that of the oldest child of John 
Singletary, Esq., a fine promising boy of about 
ten or eleven years of age, the object of every 
one's affection, and the idol of his parents. 
But in this, behold an additional evidence of 
the truth that afflictions from the hand of 
God are generally the result of His merciful 
designs toward His creatures. 

" Mr. S., who, perhaps you are aware, has 
in times past been very much addicted to dis- 
sipation, but who for the last three or four 



62 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

months has manifested an uncommon seri- 
ousness, having entirely abstained for that 
period from his former habits, is brought by 
this dispensation of God's providence to a 
deep sense of his moral pravity and helpless- 
ness, and to a settled determination to throw 
himself on the mercy of God, and dedicate 
himself henceforth to His service. 

"Calling on him the day on which I ar- 
rived, I found him not only serious but solemn; 
accompanying me to the door, he inquired 
for books, Tillotson's sermons, etc., and seemed 
anxious to inform himself thoroughly on the 
great subject which fills the mind of the 
Christian. He has been diligently engaged, 
ever since my return, in reading, and I believe 
in meditation and prayer also. He abstains 
from all worldly engagements, but such as are 
essential to his calling ; and as anxious as he 
has hitherto been in political matters, his 
voice has not been heard on this (generally) 
intensely interesting occasion (the Presi- 
dential election), and it is even doubted 



LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 63 

whether he went forward to give his own 
vote. 

" Sunday before last, I (providentially I am 
disposed to consider it) preached from this 
text : ' And now, why tarriest thou ? arise and 
be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on 
the name of the Lord.' Providentially, I say, 
for, although the sermon was specially in- 
tended for the benefit of a few individuals, 
this person was not in my thoughts, as I had 
never suspected that he was an unbaptized 
man. But it seemed to him specially directed 
to his case, and he felt himself bound to offer 
himself for Baptism. After satisfying myself 
that he was a proper subject, and exhorting 
him to prepare by prayer and abstinence for 
the reception of that Sacrament, I consented 
to administer it ; and yesterday he made a 
solemn, and I trust sincere and hearty dedica- 
tion of himself to the service of Almighty God, 
being publicly received into the congregation 
of Christ's flock. 

" I am truly delighted with the spirit which 



64 LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 

he manifests, — so humble, so docile, so devout 
and constant in his attendance on public wor- 
ship, twice on Sunday, and at the Thursday 
evening lecture in private houses. Oh ! if he 
do but hold out, what an encouraging instance 
will he afford of the pdwer of Divine grace ! 

"In a note to me on Friday evening last 
he observes, ' The preparation of the heart is 
from God. Are we not authorized, nay en- 
couraged, to ask the prayers of holy men to 
aid us in our lawful undertakings?' an intima- 
tion, I presume, of his desire to have the ben- 
efit of the prayer of God's people in his 
behalf ; and I mention it as a hint to yourself 
to remember him specially in your supplica- 
tions. Consider his peculiar temptation, his 
unfortunate besetting sin, and you will per- 
ceive the necessity of continual, and may I 
not say, special aid from above, to keep his 
feet from falling. 

" I alluded to a weekly lecture, which I have 
attempted to establish and keep up here. It 
appeared to me that if I could overcome my 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 65 

diffidence, or my pride, which you will, so far 
as to engage in this thing, it might prove very 
beneficial to myself, as well as my flock. But 
there is some opposition to it. My people 
are so ultra High Church as to think, some 
of them, that it is downright Presbyterianism 
to have religious services performed anywhere 
but in church. 

" Now I, of course, have no objection to the 
church as a place of public worship and in- 
struction, and should be happy if I could get 
my people to attend there, generally, even 
twice on Sunday; but the instructions I at- 
tempt to give in extemporaneous lectures, are 
of too irregular and familiar a character to be 
given from the desk, and I have not yet ac- 
quired confidence enough to attempt it there. 
Besides, it is not reasonable to suppose that 
persons who are satisfied with coming to 
church once on Sunday, would be very likely 
to be regular attendants during the week; 
and these are the very persons who find fault 
with lectures held in private houses. 



66 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

" I shall pursue my present course so long 
as the people will attend, and no longer. If 
service in private houses be not better than 
none during the week, and my flock intimate it 
by neglect, I shall drop it altogether." 



REMOVAL TO RALEIGH — HAPPY TEABS — INTERESTING DETAILS — 
GRATEFUL TASK — MR. FREEMAN AS A TEACHER OF THE "RALEIGH 
FEMALE ACADEMY" — THE SAME MAN AS A MINISTER OF THE GOS- 
PEL— PREJUDICES REMOVED— "JUST THE MAN TO ENLIGHTEN OUR 
IGNORANCE"— CHARACTER OF HIS PREACHING— PASTORAL DUTIES- 
POPULARITY WITH DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS — REASONS WHICH 
INDUCED HIM TO RESIGN HIS CHARGE— THE GOOD WHICH AFTER- 
WARD CAME OF IT— GREAT PERSONAL SACRIFICES. 

>N tlie autumn of 1829, Mr. Freeman re- 
moved to Baleigh, the capital of North 
n§> Carolina, haying accepted a call to the 
^ Eectorship of Christ Church, in that 
place. 

The years spent here were, perhaps, the 
happiest of his life ; and we consider ourselves 
as extremely fortunate in being able to present 
various interesting particulars, with which 
some of his old parishioners have furnished us. 
" A more grateful task (remarks one of them, 
in a letter to the author) could not be assigned 



68 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

me, than that of calling up recollections of the 
past, in connection with the memory of our 
former beloved Pastor, Bishop Freeman. It 
is what I have often indulged in, for my own 
gratification, but still I fear I may not be able 
to bring forward these cherished remem- 
brances, in such a manner as to make them 
available to you in the pious work you have 
undertaken. I will do what I can, however ; 
and if what I write should be any assistance 
to you at all, I shall be doubly repaid for the 
effort. 

"My first recollection of him was as a 
teacher in our 'Raleigh Female Academy,' 
where I received my education, though I was 
not immediately under his tuition. The im- 
pression received of him at that time w r as by 
no means favorable, as he was considered 
a harsh, unsympathizing instructor, with but 
little of the milk of human kindness in his 
composition; but, if such could ever have 
been his true character, how deep and thor- 
ough must have been that work of grace on 



LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 69 

his heart, transforming him into the kindest, 
most patient, most affectionate of men ; for 
as such alone I knew him, after becoming 
our pastor. The prejudice growing out of 
that first impression, however, was long re- 
tained, and I was truly sorry when I heard he 
was to be our pastor ; for I had just begun to 
take an interest in the progress of the Church 
amongst us, and I feared he was but little cal- 
culated to further its growth. 

"I was not long, however, in discovering 
how entirely I was mistaken in his character ; 
and ever after thought we were peculiarly 
blessed in having such a teacher and guide 
provided for us at that time, when our parish 
was feeble, our communicants few, and the 
provisions of the Church so new (to many of 
us), that had they been opened to us all at 
once, they might have startled us by their 
novelty, and seemed useless or unmeaning 
before we were so carefully instructed as to 
their design and advantages. He was just 
the man to enlighten our ignorance, live down 



70 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

all prejudice, and lead us gradually into all 
those good paths which the Church has so 
happily provided for the safety and comfort 
of her children. 

" He combined, in no common degree, the 
wisdom of the serpent with the harmlessness 
of the dove ; and during the eleven years of 
his ministry amongst us the Church steadily 
and constantly increased in numbers, in true 
Christian knowledge, and good works. 

" His sermons were clear, forcible exposi- 
tions of Christian duty, eminently practical, 
and many of his flock knew how to appreciate 
them ; for though sometimes entertained with 
more flowery, touching, or eloquent discourses 
from others, they always returned to his plain, 
but ever faithful and kindly teachings, with a 
keener relish and a deeper sense of their 
worth. 

" But it was the beautiful consistency of his 
private walk, with his public teaching, that 
made the latter so effective, and gained for 
him the sincere esteem of all who knew him. 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 71 

This unaffected simplicity and sincerity were 
felt and acknowledged by all, and liis un- 
wearied efforts in exciting and encouraging 
us in the path of duty, could not but secure 
to him the true affection of his people. I 
have never known a pastor more fervently 
loved. How could it be otherwise, when we 
saw that he spared not himself any trouble or 
labor that promised to do us good, leaving no 
plan untried that might tend to our improve- 
ment and advancement in the Christian life, 
however much it might encroach upon his 
own time or comfort ? 

" He was ever alike accessible to rich or poor ; 
all felt that they had in him a faithful friend 
and adviser, who would lend a listening ear 
to all their trials and grievances, and give 
them the kindest and best of counsels for 
their guidance. It was often remarked of 
him, that he seldom seemed at a loss as to 
what was most suitable to be said or done on 
the most trying occasions ; especially in sea- 
sons of affliction, when his ready sympathy 



72 LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 

always suggested the most consoling views, 
tlie most alleviating circumstances each case 
would admit of. 

"Though ever an acceptable guest in the 
abodes of wealth and refinement, where his 
agreeable and kindly manner gave new zest 
to the enjoyment of the passing hour, yet was 
he never unmindful of the poor and needy. 
In his ministrations among them he was con- 
stant and unwearied. I sometimes enjoyed 
the privilege of accompanying him and his 
most devotedly pious wife in their walks of 
char 'iy ; and, had I the powers of description 
that some possess, I might portray more than 
one scene of deep and touching interest still 
fresh in my memory. But I dare not attempt 
it, nor need I dwell longer on his various ex- 
cellencies as a tried and faithful pastor, in 
which capacity he was known and appreciated 
by others as well as ourselves; though we 
enjoyed for a much longer term than others 
his watchful care and guidance. 

" There were several occasions, during the 



LIFE OP BISHOP FREEMAN. 73 

earlier part of his ministry amongst us, when 
some of the younger members of his flock, 
who had been but partially reared in the 
Church, and had not yet learned to love his 
good and quiet ways, were, in seasons of reli- 
gious revival and excitement, in great danger 
of being drawn entirely away through the 
persuasions of friends, who were doing all 
they could to lead them into other folds, and 
jealously watching our faithful, indefatigable 
pastor in all his counter-efforts. But though 
firmly avowing his principles on all suitable 
occasions, and never sacrificing truth to cour- 
tesy, yet such was his frank and kindly man- 
ner, his forbearance and consideration for the 
feelings of others, that I cannot recite a sin- 
gle instance in which he gave offence to any : 
indeed, I have never known a clergyman of 
the Church more universally beloved and es- 
teemed by other denominations than he was ; 
and when, after eleven y ears' residence amongst 
us, it became generally known that he had re- 
signed and would soon leave us, there was 



74 LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 

almost as much regret expressed by others as 
by his own people ; though many of his own 
flock considered it one of the greatest trials 
of their lives to lose him. And even those 
who deemed him over-strict in his views of 
Christian duty and practice, and winced most 
under his frequent admonitions and reproofs, 
could not but respect his motives, and feel 
that he was earnestly striving to lead them 
into what he truly believed the best and saf- 
est paths. As they would not give heed to 
his counsels, and at length seemed to become 
weary of his reproofs, he finally concluded 
that he had accomplished all the good he 
could in this part of his Master's vineyard, 
and felt himself called upon to give place to 
some other who might be more acceptable. 

" In doing this, he made a sacrifice which 
few can estimate ; but like his Divine Lord, 
whose footsteps he so closely followed, he 
was willing to give himself for the good of 
the flock he so tenderly loved, and by the 
most of whom he was so loved in return. It 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 75 

was no hasty step, but one which he had con- 
templated for several years, though he had 
been dissuaded from carrying it into effect by 
the entreaties of his most intimate friends. 
"We have ever thought it was the cme step in 
which he erred in judgment; though he tried 
hard to reconcile us to it, and lead us to believe 
it would eventually produce good results. 

"I have some of his invaluable letters by 
me now, a few extracts from which will show 
more fully his view of this matter. In one, 
written a few months after he left us, he 
says : ' I cannot inform you, as you seem to 
hope, that we are again comfortably settled 
in some pleasant spot, surrounded by friends 
who know how to love us as you do. No, we 
are apparently as far from such a consumma- 
tion as when we left yov^; nor do we expect, 
nor have we ever expected, to be again sur- 
rounded by such affectionate hearts as those 
of our dear friends and parishioners in 
Raleigh. We know — at least I know — what 
a sacrifice we were making on the score of 



76 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

friendship and personal attachment. I had, 
at least in some good degree, counted the 
cost ; though, to be sure, there is some differ- 
ence between the anticipation and actual ex- 
perience of these trials of the heart and 
affections. In the one case we imagine our- 
selves to be all nerve ; in the other, we find 
ourselves but little children. The trial was 
doubtless greater and more overwhelming 
when it came than we could well have con- 
ceived. But we have been borne through 
it thus far, and are still confident, in the 
belief that it will work out good to all con- 
cerned. No trial for the present (immediately) 
seemeth to be joyous, but grievous. It is in 
the future that we are most commonly to look 
for beneficial effects. My prayer and my hope 
are, that God will overrule all which now 
seems evil to you in the condition of the con- 
gregation of Christ Church, so as to promote 
eventually His own glory, the prosperity of 
the Church, and the salvation of my dear 
brethren of the flock. 



LITE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 77 

" In another letter, written some years after- 
ward, speaking of his situation, which at that 
time was very unpleasant, he says : ( In a 
worldly point of view, I know it was not wise 
for me to break up from Ealeigh ; but that I 
knew before I offered my resignation. I had 
much to lose and little to gain. I was leaving 
a quiet home, and commencing a wandering 
kind of life ; I was sundering ties which I 
could not hope readily to unite again. But 
then I had to regard my post there not as an 
earthly possession, to be retained under all 
circumstances, if it suited my convenience, but 
as a station in the Lord's vineyard, which I 
was to retain and labor in, only so long as I 
could be profitable to my Master ; and when 
my influence became so undermined that it 
appeared I could no longer be useful, it 
seemed a manifest duty to give place. And, 
as to the effects of my decision, the fruits, 
which you say you cannot discern, I have 
been informed that that which I regarded as 
a great evil, and as being utterly at war with 



78 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

the spiritual improvement of the congregation, 
has been put down, or by general silent con- 
sent abandoned. Is this no fruit? If the 
communicants of the Church have been in- 
duced to lay aside a practice which you and 
I think fatal to the interests of true religion 
among you, has there not been something 
gained ? I am told that my successor main- 
tains the position that I assumed, and that he 
is faithful, and preaches sound Gospel sermons 
(and I know they are much more able sermons 
than you were used to hear from me) ; and 
will you not have faith as a grain of mustard- 
seed, to expect a suitable return of fruit in 
due season ? Be no longer faithless, but be- 
lieving.' 

" He thus strove to reconcile us to a trial, 
which many of us still consider one of the 
greatest of our lives. He knew that we loved 
him devotedly, and deeply regretted his re- 
moval, but could not know how fondly we 
cherished his memory, and how often we re- 
called the happy time when we looked up to 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 79 

him as our pastor and guide, wishing for and 
fearing no change. In his humihty he would 
not admit that we indeed had cause for thus 
gratefully remembering him. 

" In speaking of this, he writes : ' Alas ! 
I have been in too many respects an unprofit- 
able servant as well as an unfaithful pastor, to 
consider myself as having a claim to the undy- 
ing affection of my parishioners. Ah ! had 
I been that faithful and wise steward which it 
was my duty to be, I should not have lived 
to see my instructions despised and my godly 
counsel set at naught. I should not have felt 
myself driven from my post by those with 
whom I took sweet counsel and walked to 
the house of God in company. No, you have 
no such strong reasons to remember me with 
affection, that I should think it hard to be 
forgotten by you. It is your own goodness 
of heart, forgetting what was defective, and 
treasuring up everything that only appeared 
to be good, that leads you to cherish the 
memory of your former pastor, and mourn, as 



80 LIFE OF BISHOP FBEEMAN. 

it were, over his absence. May the blessings 
of our common Father be shed down upon 
you, and return to your own bosom the good- 
ness you extend to others a thousand-fold.' 

" These extracts from his letters, I think, 
show more fully his unworldly, self-sacrificing 
spirit, his kind and affectionate nature, than 
anything I could say. The practices he speaks 
of as being so contrary to his views of the 
earnestness and soberness of a Christian life, 
were what are usually termed ' worldly amuse- 
ments,' more particularly the giving and at- 
tending large and costly entertainments, light- 
ness, frivolity, extravagance, and dancing, 
which all tend so directly to dissipate the mind 
and unfit it for religious duties. The fact that 
his repeated and faithful admonitions on these 
points were unheeded by some and directly 
opposed by others, caused him finally to re- 
sign, as you may see from his letters above 
quoted." 



(papt^r (Etghtlt. 




A PEW PARTICULARS, BUT IMPORTANT — WELL-DESERYED HONOR— 
"LITTLE ANDREW" AT THE HIGH-SCHOOL OF VIRGINIA — GRATEFUL 
TIDINGS — BEAUTIFUL LETTERS — A LOVING FATHER'S ADYICE TO HIS 
BON — TRUE VIEWS OF THE MEANS OF GRACE — ENTERING INTO COV 
ENANT WITH GOD — THE SOLEMN VOW OF CONFIRMATION— THE BIBLE 
AND ITS INTERPRETER, THE PRAYER-BOOK— SACRA PRIVATA — THE 
LAD GROWN TO BE A CLERGYMAN. 

^E felt so reluctant to interrupt the 
course of the narrative contained in 
§rt33 the last chapter, that the due order of 

" events has been anticipated, and we 
must now retrace our steps. It is true we 
have not so many additional particulars to 
give, but these are too important to be 
omitted. 

Among other things, we have two very 
beautiful and instructive letters, addressed by 
Mr. Freeman to his son, which, we trust, may 
be most carefully read and pondered. 

The date of the first of these reminds us of 



82 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

a well-deserved honor which was conferred 
upon the Rector of Christ Church, Raleigh, 
about this time — that of the degree of Doctor 
of Divinity, by the University of North Caro- 
lina. So we shall call him now by his new 
title. 

"Little Andrew," of whom mention was 
made in a former letter, had grown to be a 
stout lad ; and in 1840 he was attending the 
High-School near Alexandria, in Virginia. 
Here, besides the advantages derived from 
the regular studies of the institution, he was 
one of those whose hearts had been touched 
by an outpouring of God's Spirit, which 
turned many unto righteousness. Andrew 
had written to his father on the subject, and 
the following was Dr. Freeman's reply : 

" Kaleigh, March 5th y 1840. 

" My dear Andrew : 

" I cannot describe the joy and thankful- 
ness with which your last two letters have 
filled our hearts. Our prayers are indeed 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 83 

answered. Our dear child is at last awakened 
to a sense of his condition as a sinner and of 
his obligations and duty as a ' member of 
Christ, the child of God, and an inheritor of 
the kingdom of heaven,' and is now resolved 
to c give up himself to the service' of God. and, 
by His help, to walk ' henceforth before Him in 
holiness and righteousness all the days of his 
life.' God be praised for this unspeakable 
mercy! and we humbly pray that He will 
continue to you His loving-kindness and mercy, 
that He will ' enlighten your mind more and 
more with the light of the everlasting Gospel ; 
graft in your heart the love of the truth ; in- 
crease in you true religion ; nourish you with 
all goodness ; and, of His great mercy, keep 
you in the same,' that you may continue His 
child forever, and ' daily increase in His Holy 
Spirit, more and more, until you come unto 
His everlasting kingdom !' 

" My dear child, let me exhort you now to 
refer to the blessings and privileges of the 
Baptismal Covenant to which you have been 



84 LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 

admitted, to consider well the solemn engage- 
ments entered into for yon by your sponsors, 
and to make it the great business of your life 
to fulfil them. Those engagements involve a 
sincere repentance for all your sins, a forsak- 
ing of the world and the devil, a living faith 
in Christ your Saviour, and a life of holy 
obedience. Prepare yourself now, c with your 
own mouth and consent, openly before the 
Church to ratify and confirm' those engage- 
ments, to renew the solemn promise and vow 
that was made in your name, and to assume, 
as before God and the world, the character of 
a meek and humble and sincere follower of 
Jesus Christ. And in making this prepara- 
tion, be diligent and faithful in examining 
yourself, in reading the Holy Scriptures and 
such suitable helps to the understanding of 
them as may be at hand, and in fervent 
prayer to Almighty God, through His most 
blessed Son, who gave Himself for you, that 
He will give you more of His grace, that He 
will ' create and make in you a new and contrite 



LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 85 

heart/ and that He will fill you 'with, such 
love toward Him, that you, loving Him above 
all things, may obtain His promises, which 
exceed all that you can desire.' 

" I send you the tract on Confirmation which 
you asked for, and also another by Bishop 
Hobart. I wish you to read both. "Wyatt's 
Christian Offices I also send — not the same 
copy that you referred to (Mrs. Thompson 
was using that, and I could not find it in my 
heart to deprive her of it ; so I procured an- 
other). I send you also a copy of Bishop 
Wilson's Sacra Privata, which you will find 
a most delightful as well as useful aid to your 
private meditation and prayers. It is Charley's 
copy, as you will see ; but he has given it up 
freely to his brother Andrew, upon my promis- 
ing to procure him another. I add, as a val- 
uable appendage to your religious library, 
* Dr. Dorr's Churchman's Manual.' You will 
find it very instructive, and I trust you will 
read it attentively; for you must remember 
you are to grow in Jcnoivledge as well as grace: 



86 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

indeed we have little right to look for the lat- 
ter without the former. 

" We got your letter to your mother yester- 
day (Ash-Wednesday) after service. When 
I read it to her and Charley, it was wonderful 
to see how the little fellow was affected; it 
seemed as if his heart's strings would break. 
Your mother will write in a day or two. She 
is wonderfully lifted up by your letters ; and 
I know not how she will be able to wait till 
August to see you. You must not be sur- 
prised if she pops in upon you one of these 
fine spring days. 

"With fervent prayers, my dear son, for 
your continuance in the grace and mercy and 
love of God (in which, I need not add, your 
joyful mother joins), 

"I am, most affectionately, 
" Your father, 

" G. W. Freeman." 

No tidings could have been so grateful to 
Dr. Freeman as those which he had received 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 87 

concerning his son's interest in religion. A 
few days later he writes again : 

" Raleigh, March 18, 1840. 

" My dear Andrew : 

"I have received your letter by Mr. Thomp- 
son, which, though ivitliout date, has quieted 
my apprehensions respecting the safety of 
the check I enclosed to you. 

"I have been greatly rejoiced, as I have 
before stated, to be informed that, by the 
great goodness of God, you have become 
awakened to a sense of your danger as a sin- 
ner and of your obligations as one for whom 
Christ died. And it has been my endeavor to 
lead your mind to a consideration of the 
nature of those obligations as implied in your 
Baptismal engagements, and of the prepara- 
tion necessary to your assuming them with 
your own mouth and consent. The only 
I Covenant' which I should have advised you 
to take upon yourself to enter into with the 
awful Majesty of Heaven, is that which He 



88 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

has authorized and appointed, and which is 
set forth among us in the Sacraments and 
prescribed ordinances of the Church. This 
covenant was made in your name and for your 
benefit at your baptism, and the same you will 
be called on to ratify and confirm at your con- 
firmation, and will virtually renew afterward 
as often as you shall approach the Holy Com- 
munion of Christ's body and blood. And is 
not this covenant sufficient? Is it not ex- 
plicit enough? Surely the Author of our 
holy religion knew better what was necessary 
and expedient for us than any individual 
among His followers, however pious. 

" Look, my son, at the terms of the Cove- 
nant about which I am writing. 

" You come, solemnly and after much dili- 
gent and devout examination and preparation 
of yourself, before the Bishop, one who has 
succeeded in the place of the Apostles, as an 
ambassador of Jesus Christ, who proposes to 
you the most serious interrogation : ' Do you 
here, in the presence of God, etc., renew the 



LIFE OF BISHOP HEEMANN. 89 

solemn promise and vow that you made, or 
that was made in your name, at your baptism, 
ratifying and confirming the same, etc. ?' 

" To this you answer, I do ; that is, I do 
renounce the Devil and all his works, the vain 
pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous 
desires of the same, and the sinful desires of the 
flesh ; so that I will not follow nor be led by 
them. I do believe in God the Father Almighty, 
Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, 
His only Son our Lord, etc. And, as I was 
6 baptized in this faith] so it is my desire and 
purpose to continue in it. And I will, by God's 
help, keep, henceforth, His holy will and com- 
mandments, and ivalk in the same all the days 
of my life. 

" Here is your part of the covenant ; and, 
by the act of the Bishop, you kre ' certified of 
the favor and gracious goodness of God to- 
ward you,' in the fulfilment of His part of the 
same covenant. This is a solemn, or public, 
& divinely -appointed transaction; and those 

who engage in it with right dispositions and 

8* 



90 LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 

purposes of heart, may confidently expect a 
blessing. 

" This is a covenant which the Word of God 
and the Church authorize and enjoin, and there 
need be no hesitation, on the part of rightly- 
disposed people, in making it. They have 
full warrant for it. As for any other, the 
Church is silent ; the Scriptures are silent : 
of course it is unwarranted. 

" My dear son, as I would earnestly exhort 
you not to lean to your own understanding, 
so do I exhort you to be careful how you lean 
to every book that may fall in your way. The 
Bible, and the Prayer-Book as an interpreter 
of the Bible, should be your chief companions ; 
and every other book you read should be tried 
by them. If you scrupulously follow the 
teaching of the Prayer-Book you will be com- 
paratively safe from erroneous^ interpretations 
of the Scriptures, as well as from those false 
notions of religion which are so current in the 
world, and especially among those who depart 
from the Church's formularies. 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 91 

" My son, besides the Bible, which I trust 
you read every day, confine yourself exclusive- 
ly, for the present, to the Prayer-Book and 
the books I sent you by Mr. Thompson. In 
the little Sacra Privata you will find an inex- 
haustible treasure. Make it the constant 
companion of your private meditations and 
prayers ; and God grant that you may imbibe 
a portion of the spirit which so distinguished 
its pious author — the good Bishop Wilson. 
" Affectionately, your father, 

" G. W. Fkeeman." 

It will only be necessary to add, that the lad 
to whom these faithful parental letters were 
addressed is now a clergyman. How many 
parents might live to see their sons in the pul- 
pit, if they took the same pains to teach them 
the way of duty ! 



agi^r Jpintlt. 



DEATH OF A GREAT MAN IN ISRAEL— BAPTISM OP A COLORED CHILD 
IN CHURCH, AND SOMETHING IMPORTANT WHICH FOLLOWED— APPLES 
AND CAKES IN THE CLOSET— ATTENTIONS TO THE SICK— ALMOST AN 
ELOPEMENT— CONFESSION OF WRONG— AN ENEMY CHANGED INTO 
A FRIEND—" UNDER THE ROSE"— THE PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER'S 
DILEMMA— EXPEDIENCY AND THE DIYINE RIGHT— HOW A STRAIGHT- 
FORWARD MAN ANSWERED A DELICATE QUESTION— A SHORT SEQUEL 
TO A LONG STORY. 

fHE 5th. of March, 1830, is remembered 
with painful interest, as the anniversary 
^p of Bishop Bavenscroft's death. His last 
^ days were spent among his old parish- 
ioners at Ealeigh, and Dr. Freeman ministered 
at his bedside, and by his special request 
read the burial-service over his remains. 

The many interesting particulars which the 
Eector of Christ Church gave of the closing 
scene have already been published in the 
"Life of Bishop Eavenscroft ;" so that we 
need not insert them here. It was the Bishop's 



LITE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 93 

wish that this well-beloved friend might suc- 
ceed him in his office. We shall now intro- 
duce two or three incidents which will show 
more clearly the temper and disposition of 
Dr. Freeman's mind than many general state- 
ments could do. 

On a certain occasion, when baptizing a 
colored child in church, he observed with pain 
that a young man who was present appeared 
to be very much amused. The thought at once 
passed through the clergyman's mind, " I must 
teach this person, and all others like him, that 
the souls of black and white are equally pre- 
cious in God's sight; and that while I do 
not dispute the rights of masters, I must show 
them that they have sacred duties to perform 
toward those under their control." 

Accordingly, a few Sundays after, when the 
church was full, Dr. Freeman delivered two 
very able discourses, from the text, "Masters, 
give unto your servants that ivhich is just and 
equal, knowing that ye also have a Master in 
Heaven:" Colossians iv. 



94 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

These sermons made a most decided im- 
pression, and they were published at the earn- 
est request of the congregation. 

"When the first edition was exhausted (which 
was very soon the case), they were reprinted 
as a tract, by the Society for the Advance- 
ment of Christianity in South Carolina. 

Dr. Freeman had a peculiar tact in attach- 
ing children to him, and they were very fond 
of visiting him at the parsonage. 

In order to encourage the more timid ones 
to come, he always kept in the little closet of 
his study apples and ginger-cakes, and other 
good things; and these stores were freely 
drawn upon whenever it was necessary. 

The sick, whom he was very attentive in 
visiting, thought there was nobody like him, — 
he was so kind and gentle, and sympathized 
with them so deeply in all their pains and 
sufferings. The poor looked upon him with 
reverence and affection, and realized that he 
was indeed their own pastor and friend. 

Dr. Freeman possessed the invaluable trait 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 95 

of forbearance to an unusual degree. Upon 
a certain occasion, a lady, a widow, took 
refuge at tlie rectory, with her daughter, who 
was about to elope with one who was consid- 
ered unworthy of her. The young man fan- 
cied that this was Dr. Freeman's doings, and 
a few days after the ladies were sheltered 
beneath his roof, he met the rector on the 
street, and used very insulting language 
toward him. The public indignation was 
aroused when this was known abroad, and 
the delinquent soon found that some apology 
must be made. This was accordingly done ; 
and the confession of sorrow for the offence 
was received with such Christian forbearance 
by the good clergyman, that he had a warm 
friend ever afterward in his former adversary. 
We have one other circumstance to relate, 
which will show how straightforward and 
honest Dr. Freeman was in all his dealings 
with men, and that he would not conceal an 
unpalatable truth even to secure an advan- 
tage for the Churc\ 



96 LIFE OP BISHOP FREEMAN. 

A Presbyterian minister wrote to him, " sub 
rosa"* as lie said, making many inquiries 
about the Episcopal Church. He admired 
the Prayer-Book, and the order and regularity 
which marked everything about the Church, 
and thought that the Episcopal form of gov- 
ernment must be the best which had ever 
been devised, because it worked so admirably. 
At the same time, he had not studied the 
question sufficiently to be prepared to say 
that he believed it to be of Divine appoint- 
ment. He asks, therefore, whether it would 
be proper for him to seek admission to the 

* My young readers may be glad to know the sup- 
posed origin of the expression, " Under the rose," which 
means, that we tell a thing confidentially. There is an old 
fable of Cupid giving the rose to Hippocrates, the God of 
Silence, as a bribe to prevent him from betraying secrets. 
The rose was accordingly often sculptured on the ceilings 
of banqueting-halls as a warning to the guests, that what- 
ever might be said under the influence of wine, was not 
to be repeated afterward. And so it came, to pass that 
what was designed to be kept secret, was said to be held 
" Under the rose." 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 97 

ministry of the Church on the ground of ex- 
pediency, and whether, in receiving orders at 
the Bishop's hands, he would be virtually 
saying that he had hitherto been preaching 
without any lawful authority to do so. 

Dr. Freeman might have smoothed over 
the matter and removed every objectionable 
feature, but he replied, in all frankness, as 
follows : 

" If an indifferent person, declaring the 
same sentiments in relation to Episcopacy 
that you profess in the introductory part of 
your letter, were to ask my advice relative to 
his entering the ministry of the Episcopal 
Church, (I think) I should not hesitate to 
give my counsel against it ; because I could 
not conceive of Ms being a sincere and hearty 
Episcopalian who did not, ex animo, join with 
the Church in the Preface to her Ordinal (see 
Common-Prayer, "The form and manner of 
making, ordaining, and consecrating Bishops, 
Priests, and Deacons'), in the declaration that 

9 



98 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

' It is evident unto all men, diligently reading 
Holy Scripture and ancient authors, that from 
the Apostles' time there have been these 
orders of ministers in Christ's Church — 
Bishops, Priests, and Deacons ;' and because 
I should consider the existence of a person 
holding such sentiments in the ministry of 
the Church an anomaly; the loivest of our 
brethren, so far as I know, holding to and 
maintaining decidedly and resolutely the Apos- 
tolicity of Episcopacy, however unwilling they 
may be to unchurch those who have departed 
from it. 

" But if I were asked whether, according to 
our usages, the ordination of the person sup- 
posed were admissible, that would be another 
thing, inasmuch as all would depend upon the 
peculiar views and habits of strictness in in- 
vestigation of the ecclesiastical authority ap- 
plied to. I do suppose that instances of the 
kind have occurred, and I think it more than 
probable that several of our Bishops would, 
perhaps, without hesitation, at the present 



LITE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 99 

time, confer orders in such circumstances ; 
nor am I prepared to say that in all cases 
such a course would be unadvisable or wrong ; 
for I can easily conceive of instances in which, 
notwithstanding great laxity of opinion, there 
might be manifest such a degree of docility, 
of love for the truth, and of submissiveness to 
authority, as to warrant the expectation that, 
under the fostering care of the Church, all 
would eventually come right. 

" In regard to your first question, therefore, 
' Is it consistent with the views of the Episcopal 
Church to admit to orders one of that liberal- 
ity of sentiment and feeling which I have 
frankly avowed; provided it be understood 
that the candidate feels himself under such 
sacred obligation, should he connect himself 
with the Church, to do nothing contrary to 
the discipline and order of the same ?' I can 
only reply that, in my opinion, it is not consis- 
tent with the views of the Church, as set forth 
in her formularies, to admit to orders persons 
who deny the Apostolicity of Episcopacy, or, 



100 LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 

which is the same thing, affirm that * the form 
of Church Government' (in relation to the 
orders of the ministry) is left entirely to ex- 
pediency. 

"At the same time, I am free to confess 
that there is reason to believe that such is not 
the opinion of some of our Bishops ; and there- 
fore, that an application of the kind you speak 
of, made in certain quarters, and it may he in 
any quarter, would be likely enough to suc- 
ceed. 

" As to your second query, ' Would an ap- 
plication for orders be regarded as a renun- 
ciation of my views in respect to the validity 
of my previous ordination?' I can only say 
that I suppose it would be generally so re- 
garded. "When Episcopalians hear of an ap- 
plication for orders in their Church from 
a minister in another denomination, they are 
very apt to suppose that he has become 
doubtful of the validity of his previous orders, 
because that is most commonly the ground 
assigned ; although it is well known that, in 



LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 101 

some instances, a mere preference of our forms, 
etc., has been the moving cause of conform- 
ity to the Church. But of course an appli- 
cant, who was known to look upon all orders 
as equally valid would not be so regarded. 

" I confess, however, I do not see the rele- 
vancy of this question; for in the case of a 
successful applicant, it could surely be no 
grievance to him to be supposed to have 
doubted his former authority; and if unsuc- 
cessful, though it might be of some import- 
ance how his application was regarded by the 
denomination to which he belonged, the opin- 
ion of Episcopalians respecting it could be of 
none whatever. 

"Your letter has not taken me entirely by 
surprise. I have perceived in you, for some 
time past, a state of mollified feeling in rela- 
tion to the Church, from which I have been 
disposed to augur somewhat favorably. I 
could have wished, however, that, as the 
Church and her formularies were gradually 
rising in your esteem, you had found it con- 



102 LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 

venient to look more narrowly into her claims, 
not to perfection, but certainly to great excel- 
lence in doctrine, discipline, and worship, and 
especially to Apostolic order and authority. 

"I feel confident that if you were to give 
these things a deep, thorough, and calm in- 
vestigation, now that the affections of your 
heart are, to say the least, not adverse to the 
cause of the Protestant Episcopal Church, as 
such, you would speedily arrive at those con- 
clusions which govern my mind upon this 
subject, and which alone are wanting to make 
you a good Churchman, and, with Episcopal 
ordination, I believe, an eminently useful 
Episcopal clergyman. 

" Let me ask you to sit down calmly, but 
resolutely, to examine, or rather to re-examine, 
this important subject. Read ' Slater's Origi- 
nal Draft' in reply to Lord Peter King — taking 
King first, of course, if to be had ; c Skinner's 
Primitive Truth and Order,' in reply to Camp- 
bell's Lectures on Ecclesiastical History; 
Archbishop Potter on Church Government ; 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 103 

Bowden and Cooke in reply to Miller ; Chil- 
lingworth's Demonstration of Episcopacy, a 
short tract commonly bound up with his 
6 Eeligion of Protestants, a Safe "Way of Salva- 
tion ;' Ignatius' Epistles ; Eusebius' History. 
"Submit to this course of reading, taking 
up again, in a better spirit, c Episcopacy 
Tested by Scripture,' and Chapman's Ser- 
mons ; and I am persuaded that, being now 
no longer anxious to refute, but solely to come 
at the truth, you will find the conviction fast- 
ened upon your mind, that what has been 
everywhere, and always, and by all men 
handed down (as you will find to be the case 
with the Episcopal regimen), must be of Apos- 
tolic origin and appointment, and therefore 
obligatory in the Christian Church." 

Suffice it to say, that the gentleman fol- 
lowed Dr. Freeman's advice, and afterward 
became a clergyman after his own heart. 



apin S^nth. 



REASONS WHICH LED TO DR. FREEMAN'S REMOVAL FROM RALEIGH- 
LETTER OF RESIGNATION— HIS VIEWS OF WORLDLY AMUSEMENTS- 
REPLY OF THE VESTRY — NO ONE TO START THE TUNE — FAREWELL 
SERMON— PASTOR AND PEOPLE IN TEARS— " DO YOU WISH ME TO 
MAKE A FOOL OF MYSELF AGAIN ?" 

[HINGS went on smoothly with Dr. Free- 
man at Raleigh, and there he might 
have passed the whole of his life, in hap- 
piness and peace, but for reasons alluded 
to in a former chapter. These will be more 
fully unfolded here. At a special meeting of 
the Vestry of Christ Church, Ealeigh, held on 
the 18th day of June, 1840, a letter of resigna- 
tion from the Rev. Dr. Freeman, the Rector of 
the church, was read in the following words : 

" Dear Brethren : 

"Believing that the time has fully come 
when I can no longer hope to be substantially 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 105 

useful to the people of my charge, I feel it to 
be my duty to tender to you, as I hereby do, 
my resignation as Rector of Christ Church; 
and I beg that you will accept the same, as it 
is offered in the spirit of good- will and brother- 
ly love. 

" As the last day of August next will com- 
plete the eleventh year of my ministry among 
you, I propose, should my resignation be ac- 
cepted, that our connection as Pastor and 
parishioners terminate at that period, if not 
before. 

"With many thanks for past kindnesses, 
and with heartfelt wishes and earnest prayers 
for the future prosperity, both temporal and 
spiritual, of yourselves and the congregation 
which you represent, 

" I am, brethren, 
" Respectfully and affectionately, 
" Your friend and servant, 
" Geo. W. Feeeman. 

" To the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church, Baleig\ 
"June 18th, 1840." 



,106 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

m 

And accompanying the said letter of resig- 
nation (to be read in case the Vestry should 
ask for the reasons which had induced the 
resignation), was a paper, in the following 
words : 

" Should it be inquired by the Wardens and 
Vestry on what grounds the Rector of Christ 
Church has come to the conclusion that he 
can no longer hope to be generally useful to 
the congregation comprising his present 
charge, he would in all kindness, but frankly, 
submit the following reply : 

" That it is essential to the usefulness of one 
sustaining the relation of Pastor to a Chris- 
tian flock that the members of his communion, 
as a body, and himself should 'be of one 
mind,' in regard, at least, to the more impor- 
tant matters of faith and practice, the Eector 
supposes will not be denied. The Pastor and 
his flock maintaining and acting under differ- 
ent, especially opposite, views of Christian doc- 
trine and Christian duty, it is easy to see that 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 107 

the respect entertained for him, and conse- 
quently his influence for good, must be greatly- 
circumscribed. Instruction, reproof, warning 
upon those points on which they differ, will 
be thrown away — nay, will probably be tram- 
pled under foot ; and he who offers them may 
soon become an object of dislike, if not of 
scorn and insult. Nor will there be hope of 
better success in his ministrations to that in- 
teresting class which the Christian minister 
habitually regards as ' the hope of the flock' — 
the young and rising generation. 

" The prevailing sentiments and practice of 
their seniors in the church, will, with them, 
almost always outweigh the precepts of their 
minister ; and he can never open his lips in 
instruction to them upon any of those con- 
tested points, however important he may view 
them, with the least hope of effect. His office, 
as an authoritative instructor in righteousness, 
has virtually come to an end. And it is much 
in this situation that the Eector of Christ 
Church finds himself placed, now at the close 



108 LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 

of the eleventh year of his ministry in that 
church. He and a large portion of the com- 
municants of his charge, including a large 
majority of the "Wardens and Vestry, are 
directly at issue upon a subject which he sin- 
cerely believes to be intimately connected 
with the interests of vital religion among 
them — that of Christians indulging in worldly 
amusements. 

" When he first took charge of the congre- 
gation, and for several, perhaps five years 
afterward, such a thing as a communicant's 
attending a theatre, a public ball, or even a 
private dancing-party, was scarcely known 
among them ; nor was there a voice heard in 
approbation of such a practice. Indeed it is 
believed that the sense of the great majority, 
if not of the whole communion, was strong 
and decisive against it. That the Rector was 
of the same opinion with his flock upon the 
subject, the wtole tenor of his teaching, both 
public and private, from the beginning of his 
ministrations, has abundantly borne witness ; 



LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 109 

and for jive years lie was happy in the belief 
that he and his brethren of the communion 
were, in respect to the matter in question, e of 
one heart and one soul.' 

" Since that period, however, a change has 
come over the congregation — a new spirit has 
arisen, and the Pastor and his flock are no 
longer ' of one mind.' Successively the ques- 
tions have been virtually raised, and more or 
less discussed between the congregation and 
their minister — (1) whether communicants of 
the Church, consistently with the solemn vows 
which are upon them, and their sacred char- 
acter as ' temples of the Holy Ghost,' as 
' members of Christ, children of God, and in- 
heritors of the kingdom of heaven,' may give 
at their own houses, or attend at the houses 
of others, those worldly entertainments com- 
monly called dancing-parties ; and (2) whether 
they may, with like consistency, attend public 
places of worldly amusement, such as theatres, 
circuses, and balls. 

"On both these questions the Rector has 
10 



110 LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 

constantly, and lie trusts conscientiously, yet 
affectionately, maintained the negative. Not- 
withstanding his frequently-expressed opin- 
ions, however, and in spite of his most strenu- 
ous efforts to procure from his people what he 
deemed a right decision, and to establish a 
wholesome practice upon these points, the 
former question, it would seem, and he sup- 
poses will be admitted, has, for some time 
past, been, by the general voice, as indicated 
by the general practice, decided in the affirma- 
tive; while the latter (although, pending the 
former, it seemed to be conceded that it was 
by no means to be sustained) has since found 
numerous practical supporters; and more 
recently has, in like manner with the other, 
seemed to be affirmatively settled. Thus are 
these two questions decided, at least by the 
general practice of the communicants, in 
direct contrariety to the known opinions and 
the solemn public and private teaching of their 
minister. 

" In these circumstances, there having been 



LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. Ill 

no change of opinion on the part of the 
Bector, it still being his honest and decided 
belief that the practice thus established, if 
persevered in, will be -ultimately destructive of 
all vital religion in the congregation ; and he 
being deprived by these decisions, as he 
thinks, of all reasonable hope of further bene- 
fiting materially the people of his charge, 
especially the young, to whom he has been 
accustomed to look with most confidence of 
hope, he has felt it to be his duty, and indeed 
the only consistent course left for him to pur- 
sue, to retire, if permitted, from his most 
difficult post, and give place to some other 
person, who, by the blessing of God, may be 
more successful in engaging the affections of 
the congregation, and inspiring them with 
respect and confidence in him as a wise and 
udicious Pastor, and a safe spiritual guide. 

" Geo. W. Feeeman. 

" Kaleigh, June 18th, 1840." 
Dr. Freeman's resignation was accepted, 



112 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

and a committee appointed by the Vestry, 
who prepared a reply to the communication 
in which his reasons for leaving the parish 
were set forth. Although we cannot endorse 
many things in this document, it would be 
unjust not to acknowledge that it was drawn 
up with ability, and showed that, in some par- 
ticulars, the Rector had perhaps been too 
morbidly sensitive. 

His parishioners found it very hard to part 
with him, as will be seen from the following 
touching incidents, related by one of them. 

" The first evening of our Bible-class, after 
the sad event of Er. Freeman's resignation, 
was more like a funeral than Bible-class. 
No one could raise the tune to the hymn : our 
reverend Rector was so overcome with emo- 
tion that it was with great difficulty he could 
read the questions and answers. A short time 
afterward he preached his Farewell Sermon, 
when there was scarcely a dry eye to be seen 
among the congregation. His tears flowed as 
freely as ours ; and he left us, I am certain, 



LIEE OF BISHOP EREEMAN. 113 

feeling, when too late, that he was truly be- 
loved. 

" Some years after the event he made us a 
visit. He was welcomed with every demon- 
stration of affection; but when solicited to 
preach for us, he laughed, and remarked, ' Do 
you want me to make a fool of myself again?' 
He always timed his visits so that he must 
leave before Sunday." 

And so, after laboring for eleven years at 
Raleigh, Dr. Freeman took his departure 
with a heavy heart, but with the testimony of 
his conscience that he had acted for the best. 

10* 



GOING FORTH HE KNEW NOT WHITHER— REMOVAL TO TENNESSEE- 
TRINITY CHURCH, SWEDE SB OROUGH— A HAPPY YEAR AT NEW CAS- 
TLE, DELAWARE— A CALL WHICH COULD NOT BE DISOBEYED—BISHOP 
OF THE SOUTHWEST— COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED— RELUCTANT AC- 
CEPTANCE OF THE MITRE— THE POOR MARINER— CONSECRATION— A 
HIGH DAY— BISHOP ELLIOTT'S SERMON. 

^HEN Dr. Freeman struck his tent at 
Baleigh, he knew not where he should 
pitch it again. But " the Lord ordereth 
a good man's goings, and maketh his 
way acceptable unto Himself." There was 
work for him to do in various portions of the 
vineyard. 

From Baleigh Dr. Freeman removed to Co- 
lumbia, Tennessee, where he officiated some- 
thing more than a year, when the feeble 
health of his wife obliged him to make a 
change. 

His next point was Trinity Church, Swedes- 




LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 115 

borough, New Jersey,* which, he held from 
April to November, 1841, and then accepted 
a call to Immanuel Church, New Castle, Dela- 
wa . 

Though the brief period of his ministry 
at Swedesborough was not attended with 
anything remarkable, Dr. Freeman's services 
were highly acceptable, and a deep and uni- 
versal regret was felt by the people at his 
departure, and his memory is still gratefully 
cherished amongst them. During the session 
of the General Convention which met in 
Philadelphia in 1856, they were highly grati- 
fied by his going and spending a Sunday 
there. 

"When snugly settled at New Castle, Dr. Free- 
man began to hope that here the rest of his 
life might be usefully spent. He soon gained 
the confidence and love of his people, and the 
fruits of his labors had begun to appear. 



* For interesting particulars of this old parish, see the 
Life of Bishop Croes, in this series. 



116 LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 

But a call was soon to be made upon "him 
which would have filled him with dismay, 
could he possibly have foreseen it. 

At the General Convention of 1844 it was 
determined that a Bishop should be appointed 
for the Southwest ; and Dr. Freeman having 
been nominated, he was chosen, almost by 
acclamation. A delegate to that Convention, 
who sat in the same seat with him, thus 
graphically describes the effect produced upon 
the good man when his name was announced 
by the secretary as having been sent down 
from the House of Bishops for the action of 
the Lower House. 

" Dr. Freeman, whose hearing was a little 
impaired, leaned forward, with his hand be- 
hind his ear. His head began to sink as his 
Christian name was uttered ; and by the time 
that the secretary had spoken his surname, it 
had drooped below the top of the pew, and 
when the message was fully concluded, he had 
grasped his hat and was passing out of the 
church. On reaching his boarding-house, he 



LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 117 

was seized with a chill, which was succeeded 
by high fever, and he was not able to leave 
his room for several days." 

Reluctant as Dr. Freeman was to accept 
the mitre offered him, yet clergymen and lay- 
men, to whom he could not but listen with 
deference, urged it upon him so importunately 
that he at last yielded to their wishes. 

Tears afterward, w T hen revisiting his old 
home at New Castle, he spoke of this trying 
ordeal, and said, with deep emotion : " I was 
like the mariner, who, having gained a safe 
harbor, again puts forth to sea, to be buffeted 
by the wind and waves." 

The consecration of the Missionary Bishop 
of Arkansas and Texas took place in St. 
Peter's Church, Philadelphia, on Saturday, 
October 26th, 1844. At the same time Dr. 
Boone was consecrated Missionary Bishop to 
China, and the Rev. Horatio Southgate, Mis- 
sionary Bishop in the Dependencies of the 
Sultan of Turkey. The venerable Bishop 
Chase acted as Consecrator, being assisted by 



118 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

Bishops Doane, Otey, Henshaw, Kemper, Polk, 
Lee, "Whittingham, Elliott, and Johns. 

An able and appropriate sermon* was 
preached by the Bishop of Georgia, from 
Isaiah, liv. 2, 3. 

The discourse closes with these remarkable 
words : " An awful responsibility rests upon 
us, the chief shepherds of the flock of Christ, 
when we contemplate such fields as those in 
which we are now preparing, through the 
instrumentality of these our brethren, to make 
an impression for eternity. It is fearful to 
calculate the mischief which may be inflicted 
even for this world, still more fearful to weigh 
the misery which may ensue in the regions of 
everlasting wo, by the promulgation of error 
in the stead of truth, — by the corruption, in 
however slight a degree, of the Gospel of 
God's grace, at a moment of such intense 
interest, in circumstances of such solemn 

* The sermon is published in the Spirit of Missions for 
December, 1844. 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 119 

grandeur. As the Lord opens the world be- 
fore us, and we become more prominently the 
stewards and dispensers of His mysteries of 
grace, let us strive and pray that we may be 
permitted to guard with jealousy His Holy 
Ark, and present her ever to the world under 
one unchangeable aspect — Catholic, for every 
truth of God ; Protestant, against every error 
of man !" 



PREPARATIONS FOR THE FIRST GREAT MISSIONARY JOURNEY— A VAST 
FIELD— ADAPTATION FOR THE WORK— CREATION OF A DIOCESE— DIS- 
COMFORTS AND PRIVATIONS— MODES OF TRAVELLING— HEAT AND 
COLD— HUNGER AND THIRST— PERILS— STARTING ON AN EXPLORING 
EXPEDITION— VISITING THE CHURCHES IN MISSISSIPPI— AN INSPEC- 
TION OF THE MISSIONARY STATIONS IN ARKANSAS. 

f HE advanced state of the season, and the 
delay unavoidable in breaking up ex- 
isting arrangements, prevented Bishop 
Freeman from setting out on his first 
great missionary journey before the spring of 
1845. 

Meanwhile we may look upon the map and 
contemplate that wide field in which he was 
expected to go forth and reap — Bishop of 
Arkansas, Texas, and the Indian Territory 
* south of thirty-six and a half degrees of north 
latitude ! A vast region, indeed, for one man 
to be intrusted with, and enough to over- 



LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 121 

whelm him with dismay at the anticipation of 
so much toil and privation. 

The Bishop was now in his fifty-fifth year, 
but strong and robust, and able to do as much 
in such disadvantageous circumstances as any 
other man. 

He was not to enter upon the administra- 
tion of the affairs of a diocese which had 
already been formed and which was begin- 
ning to manifest signs of prosperity, but his 
business was to create one out of the most 
disorganized and inharmonious materials. 
"With all Bishops of our large dioceses (as 
one of his warm friends remarks), he was 
called to endure the privation of domestic 
comforts and of opportunity for systematic 
study." 

The discomforts and perils of travel in the 

sparsely-peopled regions he traversed were 

great. The roads, rough in the best seasons, 

in bad weather were almost impassable. On 

horseback, or in vehicles without springs, he 

floundered through morasses, or was jolted, 

11 



122 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

almost with dislocation of his bones, over 
corduroy causeways, or bewildered in forests, 
or, for want of way-marks, astray from the 
line of travel he would have pursued, or cross- 
ing streams through dangerous fords or in 
rickety boats. 

He endured heat and cold, hunger and 
thirst, and, if not nakedness, was often at the 
end of a toilsome journey with no shelter save 
that of a rude shanty, where, however, he was 
welcomed with rough but generous hospitality, 
which he repaid with counsel and prayers. 
In his intercourse with the rude men of these 
regions, new pages of the great volume of hu- 
man character were opened to him, which he 
read with interest and profit. 

But his peril was often most imminent when 
on board those floating-palaces, the magnifi- 
cent "Western steamers. On board one of 
these, he relates, on a clear winter moruing, 
soon after sunrise, he gazed at a boat, just 
ahead, dashing the spray, in sparkling show- 
ers, from her wheels', while the smoke from 



LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 123 

her chimney curled gracefully upward ; a 
headland hid her from his sight ; an explosion 
was heard ; the point was turned ; and he be- 
held this boat on a mass of driftwood, a help- 
less wreck. " Truly it may be said," he adds, 
"of travellers upon rivers of the West, that 
in the midst of life they are in death." 

As it is not our purpose to give a minute 
account of each of Bishop Freeman's journeys, 
it will be proper to go with him, step by step, 
on what may be considered the exploring ex- 
pedition into which his Episcopal labors be- 
gan. 

"Having yielded to the solicitation of 
Bishop Otey, that I would undertake a visita- 
tion to the churches in Mississippi, on my 
way from Texas to Arkansas, I was obliged to 
confine my labors in Arkansas to those por- 
tions of the State in which our missionary 
operations have hitherto been conducted. 
This, however, was nearly all that I expected, 
from the lateness of the season when I set out, 
to be able to accomplish on my first visitation. 



124 LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 

The points visited were Little Bock, Van 
Buren, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Cane Hill, 
and the head-waters of "White River. 

"At Little Rock I found our missionary 
laboring under a slight and temporary dis- 
couragement, owing to the late strenuous, and 
but too successful efforts of one of the many 
modern sects. And regarding this as the 
most important station in the State, Little 
Rock being as yet the largest town, and, at 
the same time, the seat of government, I 
yielded to the entreaties of the Rev. Mr. 
Young, the missionary, and many of the prin- 
cipal members of the congregation, and re- 
mained with them ten or twelve days, includ- 
ing a day or two on my return, preaching ten 
times, and confirming, on two separate occa- 
sions, nine persons. 

" Notwithstanding the discouraging circum- 
stances just alluded to, however, the Church 
is growing here steadily, and in a highly satis- 
factory ratio of progression. The services are 
well attended ; the congregation, embracing a 



LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 125 

fair proportion of the principal citizens, is 
large for the place, and increasing, and the 
missionary commands the respect and esteem 
of his parishioners ; and were the worldly cir- 
cumstances of the community at all prosperous, 
we might expect this soon to be stricken from 
the list of missionary stations. But, unfortu- 
nately, the people are poor and unable to do 
much for the support of a minister, and the 
probability is, that for some time to come a 
full missionary appropriation will be neces- 
sary. 

" From Little Rock I was compelled, from 
the low stage of water in the river, to make 
the journey to Van Buren and the other points 
visited on horseback, a distance, going and 
returning, of four hundred and fifty miles; 
so that much time was necessarily occupied 
in travelling. To Van Buren I was accom- 
panied by the Bev. Mr. Young, and was there 
met by the Bev. Mr. Scull, from Fayetteville. 
I found here no communicants, no candidates 

for confirmation, and, I may add, no congre- 

11* 



126 LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 

gation proper. The missionary has officiated 
at this point, on alternate Sundays, in a house 
of worship common to all religious bodies, 
but to a mixed assemblage, of whom it is diffi- 
cult to say what number, if any, consider 
themselves as Episcopalians. "We held ser- 
vice here five times. I preached thrice, and, 
at the request of the missionary, baptized one 
adult and six children. At Fort Smith, where 
the missionary also officiates, as I understand, 
on alternate Sundays, I found the same state 
of things existing as at Van Buren. To that 
place I was accompanied by the Eev. Messrs. 
Young, McManus, and Scull ; and we held 
two services, which were well attended, par- 
ticularly by the officers of the United States 
Army, many of whom were present in at- 
tendance upon a court-martial. I preached 
on both occasions, and have reason to believe 
that our services left a good impression. 

" From Van Buren I proceeded, attended by 
the Eev. Mr. Scull, to Fayetteville, Washing- 
ton County. At this place I remained, with 



LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 127 

the exception of two days at Cane Hill, enjoy- 
ing the hospitality of Mr. Scull ten clays, 
including two Sundays, having been prevented 
by high waters from getting to the head- 
waters of "White River, as I intended, to pass 
the latter of them. I preached in Fayetteville, 
in a school-room, six times, and administered 
the Holy Eucharist to ten persons, of whom 
only six or seven belong to our communion. 
At Cane Hill, in a small store-room, hastily 
fitted up for the occasion by the personal 
labor of General Campbell and Captain Chew, 
I preached twice and confirmed three persons, 
viz., Captain John Chew, his wife, and their 
oldest son (originally from Fredericksburg, 
Virginia). 

" The Church at this point consists at 
present of but two families, General Camp- 
bell's and Captain Chew's ; but more devoted, 
warm-hearted Church-people I have seldom 
met with. The services here were well at- 
tended, and it was evident that a good, I hope 
a lasting impression, was made upon the plain 



128 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

people of whom the congregation was com- 
posed ; and I felt encouraged to believe that 
the regular ministrations of one who could 
give himself to the work would be eminently- 
fruitful in this interesting neighborhood. To 
insure the keeping alive, in some measure, of 
the flame which has been here enkindled by 
the occasional visits of the Eev. Mr. Scull, I 
licensed Captain Chew as Lay Reader, who 
has promised to officiate every Sunday in 
their little hired room until their log-church, 
which they are about to commence, is finished. 
There are now in this neighborhood five com- 
municants. 

" At the head- waters of White River (Madi- 
son County, thirty-five miles southeast of 
Fayetteville), where I only spent the night, I 
confirmed, in his own house, at the family 
altar, William McElroy. He and his wife are 
both communicants, and, I was pleased to 
observe, are scrupulous in the daily perform- 
ance of family devotion. In this neighbor- 
hood there are three or four communicants; 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 129 

among them is Colonel Sumner, a patriarch of 
more than fourscore years, an emigrant from 
Vermont. 

" The prospects for the establishment and 
spread of the Church in this northwestern 
and mountainous region of Arkansas, appear, 
confessedly, not to be very flattering. Yet it 
would, I think, scarcely become us to abandon 
the field, and give up those few sheep in the 
wilderness — which have heretofore been fold- 
ed, with so much care — to the mercy of the 
wolves of the mountain, scattered though 
they be. 

"Though the progress of the Church in 
that region must, from the nature of things, 
be very slow for some time to come, yet I 
doubt not that the labors of an able and 
prudent missionary, self-denying, and capable 
1 of enduring hardness as a good soldier of 
Jesus Christ,' would in a few years be found 
productive of much fruit to the honor and 
praise of God's holy name and the edification 
of His Church. I have, as yet, visited no part 



130 LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 

of the Indian Territory, but purpose visit- 
ing some portions of it, together with, the 
southern and eastern part of Arkansas, in 
the fall." 



SERMON BEFORE THE BOARD OF MISSIONS— FIRST TRIENNIAL REPORT 
FROM THE BISHOP OF THE SOUTHWEST— STATE OF THE CHXRCH IN 
ARKANSAS — BIRDS-EYE VIEW OF MISSIONARY OPERATIONS IN TEXAS 
— GREAT LACK OF LABORERS — CONDITION OF THE INDIAN TERRI- 
TORY—VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS. 

'HE General Convention of 1847 met in 
the city of New York, on the 6th of 
October; and, on the second day of 
the session, Bishop Freeman preached 
before the Board of Missions. The sermon 
was in his usual plain, homely, forcible style 
— a style which never palls upon the taste, 
and which is appreciated alike by the uncul- 
tivated and the refined.* 

At this Convention the Bishop of the South- 
west presented his first Triennial Report. 
After referring to the hasty visitation to Ar- 

* The discourse is published in the Spirit of Missions 
for November, 1847. 



132 LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 

kansas, described in our last chapter, he thus 
proceeds with his narrative : " Since the date 
of the last of these reports, he has visited 
Columbia, in Arkansas, where he held service 
and preached once ; Batesville, in the same 
State, where he performed divine service and 
preached ten times, and baptized eleven chil- 
dren and two adults ; and Little Rock, where 
he preached, confirmed one person, baptized a 
child, and married a couple. From the re- 
ports referred to, in connection with this state- 
ment, it will be seen that in the three years 
which have elapsed since his consecration, 
besides visiting all the churches and mission- 
ary stations within his jurisdiction thrice, he 
has visited Columbia and Brazoria, in Brazo- 
ria County in Texas, twice ; Richmond and 
Velasco, in the same State, once ; Cane Hill, 
Fayetteville, and Batesville, in Arkansas, 
twice ; Washington, Spring Hill, Louisville, 
Helena, Columbia, and Napoleon, in the same 
State, once ; and Fort Gibson, in the Indian 
Territory, twice. 



LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 133 

" That in most of these places he has held 
Confirmation, and in all of them performed 
divine service, and preached at each visita- 
tion ; that he has confirmed 166 persons, bap- 
tized 78 children and 10 adults, consecrated 
one church, and preached more than 200 ser- 
mons. To this he would add that in the per- 
formance of this amount of duty, he has been 
compelled to travel more than eighteen thou- 
sand miles. The number of communicants 
within his jurisdiction he reports to be, as 
nearly as he has been able to ascertain, 200 
in Texas, and 70 in Arkansas; whole num- 
ber, 270. 

"As to the c state and condition of the 
Church,' within the States and Territory of 
which the Missionary Bishop has been in- 
trusted with the oversight, upon which he is 
required by the Canon to report, he would 
remark, that there is as much of outward 
prosperity and spiritual improvement as could 
reasonably be expected, considering the cir- 
cumstances of a newly-settled country, the 

12 



134 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

sparseness of the population, and the confu- 
sion arising from continual emigration, and 
the excitement produced by border difficulties 
and a state of war. 

" In Texas, the congregations in the three 
established parishes have been steadily grow- 
ing. At Houston the number of communi- 
cants is about eighty ; the church recently 
completed and consecrated is already found 
too small to accommodate the increasing con- 
gregation; and, notwithstanding the large 
confirmation (of 35 persons) lately held there, 
the worthy Rector reports that he has already 
a large class of additional candidates for that 
holy rite. 

"At Galveston the congregation is large, 
and still increasing ; the number of communi- 
cants is 62, and the erection of a new church 
is seriously spoken of, although the present 
building is the largest belonging to our com- 
munion in the State. 

" At Matagorda, too, the Church is prosper- 
ing, though of late there have come in some 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 135 

who 'rise up, and speak against her.' The 
faithful missionary is doing good service, both 
by his pastoral labors and his schools, which 
are becoming important nurseries for the 
Church ; and although his field is, apparently, 
circumscribed by the limits of a small town, 
the whole population of which does not exceed 
three or four hundred, the circle of his in- 
fluence for good is far more extensive, and 
may be considered as embracing the country 
around for many miles. To his pious and 
faithful labors it is chiefly owing that the 
Church is known and appreciated in the 
neighboring county of Brazoria, and that a 
congregation has been organized there. The 
number of communicants at Matagorda is 38. 
"In various other parts of the State there 
is a manifestly growing interest in religious 
things in general, and a decided bias toward 
the Church ; and nothing appears to be want- 
ing, with the blessing of God, but a band of 
efficient and faithful missionaries to insure a 
glorious ingathering of the penitent and faith- 



136 LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 

ful into the fold of Christ. "To earnest, de- 
voted, self-denying men, capable of ' enduring 
hardness' in the cause of Christ, there is 
scarcely a more promising field in the whole 
range of our missionary operations than that 
presented by Texas. But those who incline 
to enter that field should know, beforehand, 
that by far the larger part of the country is in 
a state of nature ; that it is a land of *' mag- 
nificent distances,' and that the missionary in 
his travels will find no railroads or turnpikes, 
and very few bridges. On the other hand, he 
may be assured that he will find men every- 
where ready to hear the Gospel, showing 
great respect for religion, intelligent, kind- 
hearted, and hospitable. 

" In Arkansas the progress of the Church 
has not, as yet, been very encouraging, mainly 
owing, perhaps, to the want of a supply of 
efficient missionaries. The only distinct and 
settled congregation in the State, and the 
only church edifice, are at Little Rock. This 
congregation is yet small, but might, doubt- 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 137 

less, be much enlarged by the well-directed 
efforts of an energetic and discreet missionary, 
possessing fair talents and agreeable manners. 
It embraces a due proportion of the more re- 
fined and better part of the society in the 
place, and many very excellent persons. The 
number of the communicants is about twenty- 
five ; and they are, generally, persons whose 
manner of life does not discredit their pro- 
fession. 

" At Van Bur en and Fort Smith there are a 
few communicants, perhaps ten or twelve, and 
nominally organized congregations ; but the 
Church had not, when the station was last 
visited by the Bishop, attained distinctive 
character and strength enough to secure a 
separate place of worship, subject to its own 
control, of the humblest kind. 

"At Cane Hill and Fayetteville there are 
also a few communicants; and, under the 
ministry of a prudent, pious, active mission- 
ary — such a one as, it is hoped and believed, 
is he who has recently gone to that field — 



138 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

there can be little doubt the number will soon 
be much increased, and a congregation be 
built up upon a permanent basis. There are 
two or three families, belonging to the Church 
in Madison County, at the head-waters of 
White Eiver, who will be looked after by the 
missionary at Fayetteville. 

"At Batesville there are four or five com- 
municants, and the elements of a respectable 
congregation, which require only the labors 
of a faithful and able missionary to be 
brought into form and permanency. 

" Helena and Columbia, and the country 
adjacent to those places, offer good encour- 
agement for missionary labor : there are three 
or four communicants at each place. 

" In the southern parts of the State, in Wa- 
chita, Union, La Fayette, and Hempstead 
counties, there are points at which are found 
a few communicants, and quite a number of 
persons who desire to enjoy the privileges 
and blessings of the Church, and, at least, 
two missionaries might be advantageously 



LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 139 

employed there. And at all the places 
named there will be found good society, and 
a very decided inclination to be instructed in 
holy things. 

"Arkansas, although little has yet been 
done within its limits towards the establish- 
ment of- the Church, is good missionary 
ground, and ought not to be neglected. 

"The Indian Territory presents no favor- 
able opening, at present, for the establish- 
ment of an ordinary mission, unless it be that 
portion of it inhabited by the Chickasaw na- 
tion, which is said to be unoccupied as yet, 
and where there is reported to be a readiness 
on the part of the authorities to make liberal 
appropriations to aid the Church in such an 
enterprise. The Missionary Bishop has not 
yet been able to penetrate to the Chickasaw 
country ; and although he has written to the 
Indian agent for information, he has not been 
favored with a reply. He hopes, however, 
that, in the course of the ensuing winter, he 
will be able, by personal application, or in 



140 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

some other way, to obtain the information he 
desires. 

" The southwestern field has hitherto, un- 
happily, been too generally overlooked by 
those ministers of the Church who are quali- 
fied and disposed to engage in the labor of 
missions; but the Missionary Bishop is happy 
in being able to say, that at the present time 
there is an awakened attention to the claims 
of that field, and several valuable clergymen 
have offered themselves for the work, who will, 
no doubt, on application to the Committee, be 
appointed to stations, should there be a rea- 
sonable prospect of an adequate provision 
being made by the Church for their support. 

" In concluding his report, he begs to sug- 
gest to the House of Bishops, to whom, by 
canon, the consideration of the subject be- 
longs, that the missionary field assigned him 
is far too extensive for effective supervision 
by one man ; and that it may well be con- 
sidered worthy of inquiry, whether it would 
not be good economy — considering the expen- 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 141 

siveness of visitations conducted over so wide 
a field, and the loss of time occasioned by the 
excessively long journeys necessary to be un- 
dertaken, in order to pass from one State to 
the other — to divide the field, and appoint at 
least one more Missionary Bishop ; and 
whether such a change be not necessary to 
insure anything like success in the enterprise. 
" In his judgment, either the State of Ar- 
kansas, or the one-half of Texas, would, in the 
present unimproved condition of the country, 
with reference to travelling, constitute a field 
extensive enough to occupy most of the time, 
and sufficient to try the physical endurance 
of any Bishop who possessed devotedness 
and zeal at all proportioned to the importance 
of his work. The Indian country might, 
agreeably to the recommendation of the Board 
of Missions at its last triennial meeting, be 
constituted a separate Bishopric." 



agt^r J&ttrt^ntft. 



GLEANING ITEMS— SERVICES AT VAN BUREN AND OTHER PLACES — 
COLD WEATHER— A PASTOR'S LABORS— DEPARTURE FOR TEXAS — 
GALVESTON AND HOUSTON— AN OPEN BOAT-PASSAGE— SAN ANTONIO 
— GERMANTOWN— AUSTIN— ANNUAL CONVENTION— ORDINATION OP 
A METHODIST PREACHER— IMPORTANCE OP THE " MISSION-SCHOOL." 

JF our limited number of pages, so few are 
left, that we must content ourselves with 
gleaning an interesting item, here and 
there, from Bishop Freeman's reports. 
He says : 

" On the Festival of the Circumcision, Jan- 
uary 1st, after attending morning service and 
preaching, I embarked on a steamboat for the 
West. Arriving at Van Buren on Saturday 
night, I performed divine service and preached 
ttvice on the following day, January 4th. On 
Thursday, I started for Fayetteville, where I 
arrived the next day. On Saturday night, the 
weather being excessively cold, I performed 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 143 

divine service and preached at the house of Dr. 
Dean. On Sunday, I read service and preached 
three times, and baptized a child, at the request 
of the parents, by dipping, or immersion. 

" On Monday, January 12th, which was an 
extremely cold day, I started for Van Buren, 
by way of Cane Hill ; and, through a snow- 
storm, came to the house of my venerable 
friend, General John Campbell, where, most 
hospitably entertained by my kind host, I 
passed the night. On account of the severity 
of the weather, no service was held at Cane 
Hill. On Wednesday I reached Van Buren, 
w r here, notwithstanding the cold weather, I 
was soon made comfortable in the house of 
my friend and constant host, Colonel John 
Drennen. 

" The following Friday I preached, and on 
Sunday preached ticiee, and administered the 
Holy Communion to six persons. The con- 
gregation consisted of about twenty. On 
Saturday, January 24th, I proceeded to Fort 
Smith, where on Sunday I preached tivice, the 



144 LIFE OF BISHOP FBEEMAN. 

parish clergyman reading prayers in the morn- 
ing. The congregation at this place having 
become very small, and its pastor having 
ceased to be generally acceptable, he has, with 
my approbation, discontinued officiating at 
Fort Smith; and, having changed his resi- 
dence to Van Buren, is to confine his labors 
to that point, making, at my suggestion, occa- 
sional visits to Fayetteville during the vacancy 
of that station. "Whether there is any ground 
to hope for the resuscitation of the Church at 
Fort Smith, remains to be seen. It is thought, 
however, that after no very long interval, the 
congregation might, under the auspices of 
some other clergyman, be built up again. 
There are persons there who speak confidently 
upon this point. 

"On Tuesday I returned to Van Buren, 
where I remained waiting for a boat to go 
down the river, until the 7th of February. 
During this time I was attacked with a severe 
chill, the result of exposure and fatigue. Nev- 
ertheless, I was able to officiate on Sunday, 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 145 

February 1st, when I preached twice. I also 
preached on the following Friday. 

" I left Van Buren on the 7th, and reached 
Little Bock on the 9th of February. At Little 
Bock I had another chill. I remained occu- 
pied with my correspondence and- assisting 
the Bector, until the first day of March, when 
I set out on my visitation to Texas, intending 
to take Helena in my way." 

Although far from being well, Bishop Free- 
man pursued his way to New Orleans, and 
embarking in the steamer " Meteor," he 
reached Galveston on the 19th of March. 
Here he remained for several days, preaching 
and confirming, and then proceeded to Hous- 
ton, where the same duties were performed.. 
He says : 

"Beturning to Galveston, I started, April 

2d, for Matagorda, where, owing to detention 

occasioned by the overflow of the Brazos 

Biver, I did not arrive till Thursday, April 

8th. In consequence of the flooding of the 

country bordering upon the Lower Brazos. I 

13 



146 LIFE OF BISHOP FBEEMAN. 

was again prevented from visiting the county 
•of Brazoria. 

From Matagorda I went down the bay (fifty 
miles) in an open boat to Indianola. From 
Indianola I proceeded by stage-coach one 
hundred and seventy miles, by way of Victoria, 
Gonzales, and Sequin, to San Antonio. I had 
intended stopping to officiate at Port Lavaca 
and Victoria ; but finding that by lying over, 
after having taken my seat in the stage-coach, 
I should run the risk of being detained indefi- 
nitely, and thus failing of my appointment in 
"Washington County, where the Annual Con- 
vention was to be held, I felt obliged to aban- 
don my intention. I arrived at San Antonio 
-early in the week following my departure 
from Matagorda. 

"" At San Antonio I performed divine service 
and preached six times, baptized ttvo adults 
°a>nd four children, and confirmed seven persons. 
The Rev. Mr. Fish, Chaplain in the United 
States Army, who has charge of the parish, 
was unable, by reason of an affection of the 



LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 147 

throat, causing a failure of his voice, to take 
any part in the service. The prospect of the 
permanent establishment of the Church in 
this interesting and growing city, is truly en- 
couraging. Under the very acceptable min- 
istry of the Rev. Mr. Fish, whose labors have 
been gratuitously bestowed, there has been a 
steady growth of the congregation, and a 
constant increase of the interest of the com- 
munity in the Church and her services. Mr. 
Fish having been ordered to a more advanced 
post (on the San Saba, I think, one hundred 
and fifty miles north of San Antonio), it is of 
very great importance that a missionary 
should be speedily appointed to take his 
place. 

" During my stay in San Antonio, I was 
hospitably entertained at the quarters of 
Captain Blair, of the army, from whom and 
his excellent lady, who is a member of 
the Church, I received many kind atten- 
tions. 

" Passing on to Austin, I stopped a day at 



148 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

New Braunfels, a German town, containing 
probably one thousand inhabitants, where I 
performed divine service and preached. The 
congregation consisted of twenty persons, 
chiefly Americans. There are two or three 
Church families in the place, among whom 
there are several communicants. A mission- 
ary is needed to officiate there, and at Seguin, 
about twelve miles distant. 

"At Austin I preached twice; on Sunday, 
May 2d, administered the Holy Communion, 
and confirmed ten persons. The Rev. Mr. 
Fontaine, who was appointed missionary for 
one year, has been successful in gathering 
together a very respectable congregation, and 
seems to have acquired the confidence and 
affections of the community. A very commo- 
dious " upper room," has been fitted up, and 
serves very well as a temporary place of wor- 
ship. The building of a church is seriously 
agitated ; and, could the congregation be con- 
tent with a plain and simple structure, such 
as would be within the compass of their own 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 149 

means, no doubt one might be erected in the 
course of the ensuing year. 

" On Thursday, May 13th, I was at Chapel 
Hill, where the Annual Convention of the 
diocese held its sessions. There were present 
seven clergymen entitled to seats, and a lay 
representation from nine parishes. The Con- 
vention assembled in St. Luke's Church, an 
edifice which has been erected since my last 
visitation. It is a plain but substantial struc- 
ture, 52 by 25 feet, built entirely of red cedar, 
and reflects great credit upon the small com- 
munity by whose enterprise and liberality it 
has been erected. It was not entirely finished, 
but probably is so by this time. It has been 
built without foreign aid, and what is more 
and better, without incurring a debt, and that 
in a small village which was not in existence 
four years ago, and in a community among 
whom the services of the Church were un- 
known until within the last two or three 
years. 

" "While at Chapel Hill I preached tivice, ad- 
13* 



150 LIFE OF BISHOP 'FREEMAN. 

ministered the Holy Communion, held an ordi- 
nation, and confirmed jfa;e persons. The person 
ordained was Charles Frederick Rodenstein, 
late a Methodist preacher, who was admitted 
to the holy order of Deacons, under Canon 
VII. of 1838. The establishment of the Dio- 
cesan or " Mission-School" in Texas, I regard 
as a most important event, and well calculated 
to exercise a happy influence upon the pros- 
pects of the Church. With the blessing of 
God, I trust it will speedily become such a 
productive " school of the prophets," as even- 
tually to supply the waste-places of our Zion 
with faithful ministers of the Word and Sacra- 
ments, and spread the knowledge of the truth 
as it is in Jesus, through the length and 
breadth of this interesting and beautiful land. 
This institution, commenced almost without 
means, and under many difficulties, has, by 
the untiring zeal and resistless energy of Mr. 
Gillette, already become a school of note and 
of promise ; and, could it be assisted by 
the friends of Christian education and of the 



LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 151 

Church to the amount of a few thousand dollars, 
in this period of its infancy, in extending the 
means of accommodation, its ultimate success 
would be rendered almost certain. The situa- 
tion is a beautiful one, and decidedly healthy. 
The country around is rich, and fast filling up 
with an intelligent population; and perhaps 
no locality could have been selected more 
favorable to the preservation of the morals of 
the young." 



apt^r JtJ[t^ttth. 



LOUD CALLS FOR HELP— THE WANDERINGS OF 1853— NINETY MILES 
THROUGH THE MUD, AND THE WAY LOST— MR. MEADE— SERVICES IN 
PRIVATE HOUSES — VISIT TO LA MAR COUNTY — ENGLISH FAMILIES 
— REFINEMENTS IN THE WILDERNESS — A PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER 
RESPONDING— THE SERVICE PRESENTED IN ITS FULNESS— ANOTHER 
EXEMPLIFICATION OF THE FEASIBILITY OF HIS RULE. 

- ACH year of Bishop Freeman's labors in 
the Southwest, we find him lamenting 
that clergymen could not be found who 
were willing to come to his aid. He, 
like a true-hearted missionary as he was, 
went everywhere, pointing out inviting open- 
ings where the standard of the Church should 
be planted. But the responses to his earnest 
appeals for help were few and feeble. 

We shall follow him, now, through some of 
his wanderings in 1853. 

Leaving Washington, a little town of Arkan- 
sas, early in November, he crossed the Bed 
Biver at Fulton, and, with much difficulty, 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 153 

made his way through the deep mud, to the 
residence of Dr. Cornelius, ninety miles from 
Washington. Here he was hospitably enter- 
tained for the night ; and the day following 
he started, in the expectation of reaching the 
house of Mr. Everard Meade, in Bowie County, 
Texas, — an old friend and parishioner. But 
the Bishop lost his way, and darkness over- 
took him, and he was obliged to stop. The 
next morning he secured the services of a 
guide ; and, in the face of a driving rain, he 
pushed on to Mr. Meade's. 

" The family," he says, " consisting of Mr. 
and Mrs. Meade, and Mrs. Smith, the mother 
of Mrs. Meade, were once my parishioners in 
Mississippi ; and my unexpected visit, which 
was regarded as providential, was greeted with 
joy. Expecting to proceed next day on my 
journey, I baptized that night Mrs. Meade 
and her four children. 

" But in consequence of the continuance of 
the rain that night and the following day, my 
departure was deferred until Saturday. In 



154 LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 

the morning of that day, having gathered a 
few of the neighbors together at the house of 
Mr. Meade, I performed divine service and 
preached. In the evening I proceeded eight 
miles to Boston, the seat of justice for the 
county, whither I had sent on notice of an 
appointment for services the next day. 

" On Sunday I held divine service and 
preached twice. The congregation was large 
for the place, and very attentive. The service 
of the Church was performed among them for 
the first time, and the greater number had 
never seen a Prayer-Book before ; yet they 
were all evidently impressed with the solemnity 
of our way of worship, which, through the 
manly courage of Mr. Meade, who (alone in 
the morning) made the responses, I was en- 
abled to conduct, in full, both morning and 
evening." 

In the evening he was supported by two 
other voices. He continues : " I distributed at 
this place, as well as in Mr. Meade's neighbor- 
hood, a number of Prayer-Books and tracts. 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 155 

On Monday, November 8th, I proceeded to 
Clarksville, Red River County, distant forty- 
five miles, where I arrived the next day, and 
held service at night. I did the same the 
following night, when I confirmed one person. 
Finding that a favorable impression had been 
made, and that there was a very general de- 
sire for further ministrations, I made an ap- 
pointment for the following Sunday. In the 
mean time, having heard that there were 
some English families at or near Paris, in 
La Mar County, I resolved on visiting that 
place. 

" Accordingly, on Thursday I proceeded to 
Paris, distant thirty miles. I was unable to 
gather a congregation on Friday morning, as 
I wished ; but at night I performed divine 
service and preached to a small congregation. 
As there was no person to respond, the beauty 
of the service could not be fully appreciated 
by the congregation ; but yet it was evident 
that they were impressed with its solemnity. 
In the afternoon of that day I had gone some 



156 LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 

miles into the country, to visit one of the 
English families of which I had been told. 

"The family consisted of a gentleman by 
the name of Bassano, his wife, and seven 
grown children. They are from Birmingham, 
England, and are Dissenters, having been 
members of John Angell James's congrega- 
tion. They seemed to be persons of refine- 
ment : had an extensive library, and several 
instruments of music, particularly a splendid 
parlor-organ, upon which one of the sons, just 
in from the field, gave me a specimen of his 
performance. Mr. Bassano said that, should 
the Church be established at Paris, he would 
gladly join it. He told me of three other 
Englishmen in the neighborhood, who were of 
the Church of England. They were brothers, 
by the name of Parr. I had not time to see 
them. I left with Mr. Bassano Prayer-Books 
and tracts for them, as well as for himself and 
family. 

" On Saturday I returned to Clarksville. 
On Sunday, November 14th, I performed 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 157 

divine service, and preached three times. The 
congregations were large, containing nearly 
all the population of the town and neigh- 
borhood, and were exceedingly attentive. I 
have seldom witnessed more unequivocal evi- 
dences of deep and absorbing interest. From 
the first they seemed struck with the beauty 
and solemnity of the service, which, through 
the kindness of a Presbyterian clergyman and 
his wife, who made the responses, I was en- 
abled to perform in full on every occasion; 
and their interest seemed to increase upon 
every repetition of it, . until at length quite 
a number of voices joined in the responses. 

" And here I take occasion to remark that, 
although much has been said of late respect- 
ing the want of adaptedness in our Liturgy to 
the case of persons ignorant of the Prayer- 
Book, and but little acquainted with the doc- 
trines of Christianity, I have never yet been 
placed in a situation in which I felt that there 
was need, or I had any desire, for some form 

and arrangement different from that which 

14 



158 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

the Church has presented. On the contrary, 
every year's experience as a missionary has 
caused me to admire, more and more, the 
excellence of that form of Prayer, which is 
only less than inspired, and which I have ever 
found most strikingly adapted to all emergen- 
cies, as well suited to the circumstances of the 
rudest dwellers in a cabin of the forest, as to 
the more refined and lordly occupants of the 
splendid mansion of the crowded city ; yea, as 
edifying and profitable, even to the unlettered 
negro, as to the most highly cultivated among 
the whites. I have officiated in many places 
where the Prayer-Book and the Church had 
been scarcely heard of, and yet have never 
found any difficulty in introducing the service 
to advantage. In most cases I have been 
enabled to find and to prepare at least one per- 
son to assist in the responses, and thus to bring 
out the beauty and excellency of our form of 
worship, so as to produce a favorable and 
lasting impression concerning it." 

The same subject is spoken of again, in the 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 159 

Bishop's report for 1855. He stopped at Dar- 
danelle, a little settlement on the Arkansas 
River, about ninety miles below Fort Smith. 
The notice of an appointment, which had been 
sent on beforehand, had failed to reach its 
destination, so that the people were not ex- 
pecting him. Yet, nothing daunted, he suc- 
ceeded in making arrangements for service 
on Sunday ; and, although there was not a 
Churchman in the place, every thing was done 
decently and in order. 

" On Sunday morning (he writes), a number 
of persons, desirous of hearing the Church 
service performed in full, called on me for 
instructions in its use. After fifteen minutes' 
explanation, and a little drilling, they were 
ready to undertake the responses. And thus 
I was enabled to conform to the whole ritual 
for morning worship, including the ante-com- 
munion service, greatly to my own satisfac- 
tion, and to the edification, I trust, of many 
who were present. 

" In the afternoon, crossing the river, in the 



160 LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 

face of a severely cold 'Northwester,' I per- 
formed divine service and preached at Norris- 
town. Owing to the severity of the weather, 
and the impossibility of warming the house in 
which service was held, the congregation was 
small. One gentleman, a member of a Church 
family now almost extinct, assisted in the 
responsive parts. Although there are no 
avowed members of the Church at Dardanelle 
and Norristown, I doubt not a missionary 
would be joyfully received, and find ample 
encouragement for his labors." 



apf^r ^txtmtth. 



DOMESTIC AFFLICTIONS— DEATH OF A SON AND WIFE— SKETCH OF MRS. 
FREEMAN'S LIFE— TURNING FROM METHODISM TO THE CHURCH— 
ARCHDEACON DAUBENY — A READY AND EFFECTIVE COADJUTOR — 
"ARE YOU SURE YOU WILL NOT BE FOUND FIGHTING AGAINST 
GOD V — THE BETTER MISSIONARY OF THE TWO — DEATH AND BURIAL 
— LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE — BISHOP FREEMAN'S REPLY TO ONE OF 
THESE. 

>ISHOP FBEEMAN was caUed upon to 

suffer several domestic afflictions, which 

bowed him to the earth. His eldest 

son, and namesake, was stricken down 

by death ; and on the 18th of June, 1856, his 

excellent and devoted wife departed hence. 

At the time of her marriage with the 

Bishop, thirty-seven years before, she was a 

pions and consistent member of the Methodist 

communion, while he was yet a layman, and 

not a member of any Christian body. After 

he had obtained Baptism, Confirmation, and 

Communion in the Church, which, under the 
14* 



162 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

good providence of God, lie was led to seek a 
year or two after their marriage, she continued 
to adhere faithfully to her first religious pro- 
fession for nearly two years, her husband 
seeking in no way to interfere with her exist- 
ing connection, or to unsettle her convictions 
by personal influence or persuasion. 

But during that period, she, of her own 
accord, went into an examination of the nature 
and claims of the Church, with the aid of such 
books as were accessible ; the result of which 
was a solemn conviction that it was her duty 
to seek admission to its communion. She 
was accordingly confirmed (by Bishop Moore, 
of Virginia), and became thenceforward a de- 
voted, as in process of time she became an 
enlightened and highly intelligent Church- 
woman. 

The book which she often afterward spoke 
of as having had great influence in settling her 
mind and finally effecting her "conversion," 
as she called it, to the distinctive doctrines 
of the Church, was Archdeacon Daubeny's 



LITE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 163 

"Guide to the Church;" and it proved ever 
after in her hands a powerful auxiliary to her 
efforts, which were in numberless instances 
successful to enlighten and convince others. 

When her husband, being admitted to holy 
orders, took charge of a parish, she became at 
once a ready and effective coadjutor in his 
labors, and continued to be such in every 
parish to which he was called. And this she 
did without ever making herself prominent as 
a leader, or affecting the position of "a mother 
in Israel." She was zealous, earnest, and 
devout, but never obtrusive. The good she 
accomplished, was quietly effected by her 
affability, by her rare usefulness, by patient 
instruction, by affectionate remonstrance and 
persuasion, by self-denying labors, by meek- 
ness and humihty of deportment, and above 
all, by the silent influence of a consistent 
example in all holy conversation and godli- 
ness. She was popular, she was beloved, she 
was held in most exalted esteem by the mem- 
bers of each of the parishes with which her 



164 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

husband was successively connected; and if 
she had an enemy in them all, it was never 
known. 

But her claim to distinction among the 
many excellent clergymen's wives in the 
Church, rests mainly upon her missionary 
zeal. She was not only ready to give, accord- 
ing to her ability, to the support of missions, 
but was willing to sacrifice (and she did actu- 
ally sacrifice) her health, and the most of her 
worldly comforts for the supposed good of the 
cause. "When her husband was called to the 
Missionary Episcopate of the Southwest, they 
were delightfully and most happily situated 
in a parish that perhaps both would have 
preferred to almost any other in the Church ; 
and they had just completed their arrange- 
ments for, as they fondly hoped, a life-long 
residence among agreeable and most affec- 
tionate parishioners. 

The call came upon him like a clap of thun- 
der, and he felt that he could not accept it ; 
and after twenty-four hours' deliberation, with 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 165 

prayer, he had made up his mind that he 
must decline it. The distressed look with 
which the announcement of his purpose was 
received by her, and the alarming inquiry 
which she made, " Are you sure you will not 
be found fighting against God, if you decline?" 
brought him to a pause ; and, aided by the 
remonstrance and persuasion of others, led 
him ultimately to suffer himself to put on the 
mitre, though he knew it to be lined with 
thorns. 

He was consecrated. Her pleasant home 
was broken up. She was thenceforth to live 
an unsettled life; to be separated from her 
husband three-fourths of the year ; to dwell 
among strangers, at a long, long distance from 
her only daughter and most of her other chil- 
dren; and she knew not what other hard- 
ships were before her. Yet she braved 
them all. In her zeal for the missionary 
work in the cause of Christ and His 
Church, she forgot her own comfort and 
worldly happiness, and threw herself upon 



166 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

the good providence of God for the future 
of her life. 

While her health permitted, she occasion- 
ally accompanied the Bishop on his tour of 
visitation. She was with him twice in Texas ; 
and so acceptable and useful did she render 
herself, that the remark was more than once 
elicited : " Mrs. Freeman is a better and more 
effective missionary than even the Bishop." 
Twice, in the course of her journeyings, during 
one and the same year, she was, for hours, 
exposed to drenching rains, and was wet to 
the skin, without a timely opportunity for 
changing her clothes. After the last of these 
exposures, her health materially failed; and 
she soon became unable to travel, except 
with extreme difficulty, even to visit her 
children. 

For the last eighteen months she had re- 
mained at Little Bock, being quite too feeble 
to venture on a journey. On the 26th of 
March, 1856, the Bishop left her, with hesita- 
tion and great reluctance, for a visitation of 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 167 

Texas, which circumstances rendered highly 
important, if not absolutely necessary. He 
shortened his visitation as much as possible 
on her account ; and, after an absence of two 
months and fifteen days, returned, to find her 
on that sick-bed from which she never arose. 

He arrived on Monday, the 11th of June, and 
in a week from that day her spirit took its 
flight from earth to " brighter worlds on high." 
She was calm and self-possessed to the last. 
She felt assured that death was approaching 
several days before her departure; yet she 
was not dismayed. She had put her trust in 
God her Saviour. She knew in whom she had 
believed. She had lived much in prayer 
through life, and for years was, doubtless, 
fully prepared for her great change. 

A day or two before her departure, at her 
earnest desire, the Holy Communion was ad- 
ministered to her, which she devoutly and 
thankfully received, surrounded by a number 
of faithful, weeping friends. After that she 
seemed like one who, conscious of her rapidly 



168 LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 

approaching end, waited in patience for the 
expected summons. All she had ever dreaded 
in death was the physical suffering with which 
she supposed it usually accompanied. For 
the rest, she was, as she declared a little be- 
fore her departure, " ready." And so she 
" died in the Lord," and now " rests from her 
labors," and is blessed for evermore. 

Her funeral took place on Wednesday morn- 
ing, June 26th, from the church, the service 
being performed by her sorrowing husband 
and son. 

The death of Mrs. Freeman was a great 
loss, not only to her own immediate family, 
but to the Church at large. All who knew 
her felt that a most devoted and successful 
missionary had been taken to her rest. 

Among the many letters of condolence re- 
ceived by her bereaved husband, after this 
irreparable loss, was a very touching and 
beautiful one from a brother Bishop, who had 
recently suffered the same affliction. 

Bishop Freeman thus replies : 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 169 

" Little Eock, August 24:th, 1855. 

"Eight Eey. and dear Brother— brother 
in affliction, now, as well as in Christ and His 
Church : 

" I thank you very sincerely for your tender 
words of sympathy and condolence ; and in 
view of your own bereavement, I desire to 
reciprocate in offering you assurance of my 
participation in your sorrows. 

" God has seen fit to visit us with trouble 
and to bring distress upon us. Let us pray 
that he will remember us in mercy, and sanc- 
tify His fatherly correction to us. We both 
have the highest consolation of which, inde- 
pendently of the breathings of the Divine 
Spirit to our souls, such bereavement as ours 
is capable — viz., the full conviction that they 
whose loss we mourn were faithful disciples 
of our Lord, were ripe for heaven, and have 
gone to their great reward. 

" Let us not ' sorrow, then, as others who 
have no hope ;' but, in the midst of our sad- 
ness, comfort ourselves with this conviction. 

15 



170 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

For ourselves and our children, in our bereave- 
ment and loneliness, we may, we must weep ; 
but for them, who ' having finished their course 
in faith, do now rest from their labors,' we 
ought not to grieve, or repine at their removal 
from us, but rather, in the spirit of submission 
and resignation to God's will, say, in our hearts, 
'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken 
away, blessed be the name of the Lord.' 

" I remember the time to which you refer, 
when you were my pupil, and enjoyed the 
acquaintance of Mrs. Freeman. Those were 
to me happy days to which you allude. Our 
residence in Newbern and our many excellent 
friends there were always remembered and 
spoken of between us with pleasure. In New- 
bern my youngest child was born ; in New- 
bern I preached my first sermon but one ; in 
Newbern I was ordained Priest; and from 
Newbern I went to take charge of my first 
parish in the neighboring town of "Washing- 
ton. 

" Though now alone, I have not felt lonely 



LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 171 

in the sense of wanting company. Memory 
has been busy with the past. In looking over 
the correspondence between my poor, clear 
wife and myself, including more than one 
hundred of her letters, and going back to the 
year 1820, 1 have seemed to live the last thirty- 
five or thirty-seven years of my life over again. 
That she is separated from me by death, I find 
is difficult, at times, to bring into reality. I 
am constantly prone, as an important idea or 
event occurs, to think for a moment, ' I will 
tell this to my wife.' 

" May God give you grace, my dear brother, 
to bear your affliction patiently, and to seek 
for consolation where alone it is to be found — ■ 
in the bosom of your Father and your God. 
" I am, faithfully, 
" Tour friend and sympathizing 
" Brother, 

" G. W. Fkeeman." 



PERSONAL ACQUAINTANCE WITH BISHOP FREEMAN— THE TIME AND 
THE PLACE OF OUR FIRST INTERVIEW— APPEARANCE AND MANNERS 
—HAT AND CANE— AN AWKWARD INTRODUCTION— KIND RECEPTION 
—REMINISCENCES OF ONE WHO HAD ENTERTAINED BISHOP FREEMAN 
AT HIS HOUSE — TRAITS OF CHARACTER — NOT AN EXTREME MAN — 
"HOW CAN I RECOMMEND THE SCHOOL?" — "A REVILER OF HIS 
BRETHREN"— MRS. FREEMAN. 

[HE writer's personal acquaintance with 
Bishop Freeman began at the General 
Convention of 1856. The Bev. Andrew 
F. Freeman (the Bishop's youngest son) 
and myself were classmates at the Theologi- 
cal Seminary in New York ; and my intimate 
acquaintance with him made me feel that I 
knew his father also. This impression led me 
to do, what, in other circumstances, I should 
not have thought of doing. 

It was at the meeting of the Sunday School 
Union and Church Book Society, held in St. 
Andrew's Church, Philadelphia, during the 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 1 , 3 

session of the General Convention, to which I 
have just referred. Matters of vital importance 
to the interests of the Sunday School Union 
were discussed ; and, after several hours' de- 
bate, the practical part began, with the con- 
tribution of money for its relief and benefit. 

The Bishop of Maryland was instantly on 
his feet, and stated what he would give ; nay, 
more, with the energetic promptness peculiar 
to himself, he laid down the money, then 
and there. Bishop De Lancey, and the two 
Bishops Potter, and others, followed in his 
wake. Then a portly, dignified clergyman, 
about six feet in height, of robust and vigorous 
appearance, though evidently advancing in 
years, went to the Secretary's table, and put 
his name down for a hundred dollars : It was 
Bishop Freeman. "When this was done, he 
took his hat and cane (the cane which Bishop 
Bavenseroft had carried in his day), and 
quietly passed out through the vestry-door. 

With some trepidation I followed him ; and, 

apologizing for the liberty, I introduced my- 
15* 



174 LITE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 

self as the classmate of his son. The good 
man overpowered me with kindness, and in- 
sisted that he knew me well. 

I saw him daily afterward, and always dis- 
covered something new to excite my respect 
and admiration for him. His manners, with- 
out courtly varnish, were frank, simple, and 
affectionate, and everything about him be- 
tokened the high-toned gentleman and the 
earnest Missionary Bishop. 

Here seems a suitable place to insert an 
interesting letter from a friend, at whose hos- 
pitable abode Bishop Freeman had sometimes 
stopped, in his journeys through the land : 

"I have been endeavoring to recall some 
recollections for you concerning good Bishop 
Freeman and his lovely wife, who sojourned 
in our prophet's chamber two weeks, during 
low water, waiting for a boat. "We considered 
them angels, at the time, in several senses. 
He was angel of the Church of Arkansas, and 
angelic in temper and disposition, with great 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 175 

dignity of character, yet cheerful, calm, and 
earnest in purpose, full of love to his Divine 
Master, deeply impressed with the solemn 
responsibilities of his office, and the great and 
momentous work he had to do. 

"There was so little party-feeling in his 
nature, that he said to me : ' I am never 
acknowledged by either of the extremes; 
neither claims me ; and this I consider a high 
compliment.' He was indeed a master work- 
man, and one I ever delighted to honor, for 
he was — like his admired and revered teacher 
and Bishop at one time, the great Ravens- 
croft — the fearless, able defender of my favor- 
ite system of apostolic order and evangelical 
truth, the sacred triad of principles : ' Gospel 
faith, Gospel order, and Gospel holiness ! Pro 
Deo, Pro Ecclesia, Pro hominum salute.' 

"There was a frankness, a candor in his 
nature, that was to me most admirable. He 
knew no cant, uq deception, no love of parade 
or show ; all was simple, earnest, sincere. On 
one occasion, w^hile at my house, a young 



176 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

divine, who had a school somewhere, asked 
him to sign his recommendation for it. ' Why/ 
said the Bishop, with all the earnestness and 
sincerity of his character, 'how can I, my 
dear sir, recommend what I know nothing 
about ? I dare say that it is a good school ; 
but how do I know it? and a Bishop of the 
Church should especially take heed how he 
recommends and how he writes his name.' 
The young clergyman readily assented to the 
force of his reasoning, and retired. 

"In conversation with a clergyman of 
rather turbulent disposition, on the subject of 
the election of a Bishop in an important 
diocese, the clergyman observed that one 
party would make great exertions to elect a 
certain well-known Doctor, whom he named. 
'He is not fit for it,' said Bishop Freeman; 
'for he is a reviler of his brethren, and no 
man of that spirit is fit for Bishop, Priest, or 
Deacon.' Bather a hard hit ! 

" He had some peculiar habits, and was old- 
fashioned and patriarchal in many of his ways 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 177 

and notions. When lie parted with us the last 
time, as he shook us cordially by the hand, he 
gave us a truly patriarchal and fatherly bless- 
ing, most touching and affecting. One of his 
habits, I believe, was always to preach in his 
robes, whether he performed Episcopal func- 
tions or not. In fact, he was a straightforward, 
honest, upright, godly man ; and his wife, a 
sweet, amiable, gentle lady, in whom clustered 
so many graces of the Christian character." 



(Walter (Kijht^nth. 

LABORS OF 1856— WESTERN VISITATION— FORT SMITH— SERVICES AT 
CANE HILL— CONFIRMATION OF A FARMER— CHICOT COUNTY— PRO- 
TRACTED SERVICES— INTENSE COLD— ENCOURAGEMENTS— INSTRUC- 
TION OF NEGROES — CHRISTMAS PRESENTS — UNCERTAINTY OF STEAM- 
BOATS—TEXAS CONVENTION— A SAD DISAPPOINTMENT. 

PHE report of Bishop Freeman, for the 
year 1856, furnishes us with some items, 
which will be read with interest. 

The death of his son's wife (the Rev. 
A. F. Freeman, Hector of Christ Church, Little 
Rock), brought such affliction upon the be- 
reaved house, that the good Bishop took the 
whole burden of the pastoral work upon him- 
self, from June until the close of September. 

Early the next month he set out on his 
"Western visitation, and arrived at Fort Smith 
on the fifth. Here the usual services were 
performed, and he hastened onward to other 
stations. 

After leaving Fayetteville, he set out for the 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 179 

residence of his dear friend, General John 
Campbell, at Cane Hill. "He and his wife 
(remarks the Bishop) are worthy and warm- 
hearted members of the Church, and are 
always delighted with the annual visit of the 
Bishop. I performed divine service, and 
preached in the afternoon at their house, and 
had the pleasure of baptizing and confirming 
one person, Roderick Mcintosh Webber, an 
intelligent hard-working farmer of the neigh- 
borhood. And here I take occasion to refer 
to the very great satisfaction and deep interest 
with which I ever receive members of his 
class into the bosom of the Church. The 
accession of the rich, the accomplished, the 
refined, may seem to add to her prosperity, 
and give eclat to her communion, but they 
who are justly regarded as 'the bone and 
sinew' of the State, will always be found, in 
trying times, the 'bone and sinew of the 
Church.' " 

"We pass over, now, many things which 
might be mentioned, and give the following 



180 LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 

interesting particulars : " On the 11th of De- 
cember (says the Bishop), I proceeded down 
the river, on a small boat, to Napoleon, on the 
Mississippi, where, at three o'clock A. M. on the 
13th, I embarked on a Mississippi boat, and 
landed the same day, in the evening, in Chicot 
County. I remained in that county nearly 
two weeks, visited the families residing on 
Old Eiver Lake and in Columbia, and offici- 
ated on two Sundays. As the population is 
much scattered, there could be but one service 
in a day ; and, circumstances so requiring, on 
each occasion the services were protracted in 
an unusual manner. There was the full morn- 
ing service, with baptism of adults, after the 
Second Lesson — the baptism of children, after 
the close of the service. This being the first 
public baptism in the neighborhood, I desired 
to keep the baptisms distinct, for the sake of 
the impression — the sermon, Confirmation, 
and the Communion. On the first of these 
occasions I baptized two adults and three 
children, and confirmed two persons ; on the 



LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 181 

second, I baptized three adults and one child, 
and confirmed three persons: on both, the 
Communion was administered to twelve per- 
sons. 

" It is worthy of remark that all the adult can- 
didates for baptism desired not only to be im- 
mediately confirmed, but also to participate in 
the Holy Communion ; and this was the reason 
why the Sacrament was administered, in the 
same congregation, two Sundays in succession. 
The latter of these two Sundays was that be- 
fore Christmas, when that season of intense 
cold commenced which continued many weeks, 
and will long be remembered as the most 
severe ever experienced in that region by the 
oldest inhabitant. 

" On that cold day our services were held 

in an unfinished building, unplastered, without 

glass in the windows, and without fire. After 

service I had to drive ten miles, through deep 

mud, to Dr. Holson's, on the river ; where, that 

night, I confirmed Mrs. Holson, who had been 

unable to attend service at her own home. 

16 



182 LIFE OP BISHOP PREEMAN. 

" This visit to Chicot was a very interesting 
and encouraging one. A deep interest was 
manifested in the services of the Church, and 
an earnest desire expressed to obtain the 
blessing of a resident clergyman. One pos- 
sessing the requisite qualifications — which are, 
earnestness and zeal in his Master's work, a 
fair amount of preaching talent, and practical 
wisdom, or strong common-sense— would be 
warmly received and adequately supported. 
The white population are chiefly wealthy 
planters, who seem to care for the religious 
instruction, not only of themselves and fami- 
lies, but of their servants ; among whom a 
judicious minister might labor and accom- 
plish much good without let or hindrance. 

" At the house of a gentleman where I stayed 
a part of the time, on Sunday night the ser- 
vants of the plantation were assembled in the 
dining-room ; and, at the request of my host, 
I conducted evening worship, and addressed 
them at some length in a lecture upon a por- 
tion of Scripture, which I endeavored to make 



LIFE OF BISHOP FEEEMAN. 183 

practical and plain to their understanding ; in 
which I think I succeeded, for they seemed 
much interested, and several of them con- 
versed with their mistress afterward, and ex- 
pressed a desire to be baptized. Upon a 
visit, subsequently made by the Eector of 
Christ Church, at my request — which he also 
caused to extend over two Sundays — one or 
two of those servants were baptized, at their 
own earnest desire, and upon the "recommen- 
dation of their master and mistress. 

" It was interesting as well as touching, to 
see how, as Christmas-day was approaching, 
the ladies from the several plantations busied 
themselves in preparations for the enjoyment 
of their servants, by making arrangements 
and provision for a splendid fete, and in 
selecting and purchasing substantial as 
well as attractive articles, to be distributed 
as Christmas presents. One lady, whom 
I accompanied to the neighboring town of 
Columbia, literally loaded the carriage with 
goods purchased for this purpose. I saw 



184 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

other ladies in the stores, engaged on the 
same benevolent errand; and who can esti- 
mate the amount of happiness diffused over 
the plantations in Chicot, when Christmas- 
day arrived ? 

" On that day, bitterly cold and cheerless as 
it was, I was compelled to embark on a steam- 
boat on the Mississippi (there are no certain 
hours or days on which boats will arrive at 
or leave any given point, so that the traveller 
cannot choose his time for starting) for 
Helena, one hundred and sixty miles above, 
where I landed the next day. I remained at 
Helena six or seven days, holding service and 
preaching as often as the severity of the 
weather permitted. I preached on Thursday 
and Friday nights, and twice on Sunday. On 
Sunday morning I administered the Com- 
munion to twelve persons. In the evening I 
baptized three children. On Tuesday I bap- 
tized (with water brought from the Eiver 
Jordan) Paul, infant son of the Hon. John S. 
Jones, who, living some ten miles in the coun- 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 185 

try, did not hear of my appointment in timo 
to attend any of our services." 

On the 12th of April, we find Bishop Free- 
man presiding in the Texas Convention, which 
continued in session for several days. He 
had long felt that the cares and responsibil- 
ities of so vast a diocese were entirely too 
great for one man, and he had been desirous, 
for several years past, that Texas should have 
a Bishop of its own* 

The most important action taken by this 
Convention was the election of the Rev. Ar- 
thur Cleveland Coxe, Rector of Grace Church, 
Baltimore, to this high office, which appoint- 
ment, very much to the regret of all parties 
concerned, he felt obliged to decline. It 
should be said, however, in justice to Mr 
Coxe, that he had stated most decidedly 
when sounded on the subject beforehand, that 
his engagements were then of such a nature, 
that he could not possibly reconcile it to his 

conscience to break them for any purpose. 
16* 



THE LAST JOURNEY— THE PECULIAR DUTIES OP A MISSIONARY BISHOP 
—FLOODS OP RAIN— SERVICES LN PBIYATE HOUSES— INCREASING IN- 
TEREST IN GOOD THINGS— STOPPED SHORT BY SICKNESS— ONE MORE 
JOURNEY TO TEXAS— NEW RADLROAD— ANOTHER CONVENTION— 
AGAIN DISAPPOINTED— CLOSE OF LAST REPORT TO THE BOARD. 

}N this chapter we are to make our last 
journey in company with the venerable 
Bishop of the Southwest. 

Immediately after his return from the 
General Convention of 1856, he proceeded on 
a visitation to Chicot County, in Arkansas, 
bordering upon the Mississippi Eiver. 

The nature of the labors of a Missionary 
Bishop, in a wild region of country, may be 
seen from a brief extract : 

" On Sunday, November 23d, I held service 
and preached in a school-room at Columbia, 
on which occasion I baptized three children, 
and made an appointment for service on the 



LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 187 

following Sunday, at Old Eiver Lake. On 
Tuesday, 25th, being at the house of Johnson 
Chapman, Esq., in the latter neighborhood, 
I was called, in the midst of a heavy rain, to 
visit a young man, several miles distant, who 
was very ill and supposed to be dying. I 
found him in great concern of mind, and 
anxious for spiritual direction and comfort. 
I conversed with him freely, gave him such 
instruction and exhortation as the time per- 
mitted, and, at his earnest request, believing 
him to be truly penitent and believing, bap- 
tized him. 

" On Thursday, November 27th, I proceeded 
to Homestead, the seat of Benjamin P. Gaines, 
Esq., ten or twelve miles distant, where I 
joined together, in the holy estate of matri- ' 
mony, Cornelius Edwin White, of Baltimore, 
and Juliana Gaines, daughter of B. P. Gaines. 

" Weather-bound at this place by continual 
floods of rain, I was unable to keep my ap- 
pointment at Old Biver Lake ; and, on Sun- 
day 30th, held service and preached in Mr. 



188 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

Gaines's parlor, baptizing, at the same time, 
one child. On Monday I proceeded, through 
a heavy rain and deep mud, several miles to 
Gaines's Landing, where I embarked on a 
steamboat for Helena, whither I had sent 
notice of an appointment for the following 
Sunday. On the following evening, at dark; 
I disembarked at the wharf-boat, two miles 
below Helena ; and, leaving my baggage be- 
hind, plunged through the mud in pursuit of 
a lodging. This I found, after some ineffec- 
tual tramping, at the house of my former kind 
host, E. D. Hargraves, Esq., where, although 
the weather was very cold, I was soon made 
thoroughly comfortable. During the remain- 
der of the week I was a good deal unwell 
•from a severe cold, and was unable to visit 
much. On Sunday, the weather being fair 
though cold, I preached twice, and confirmed 
five persons, two of whom were previously 
baptized by the missionary, the Rev. Mr. 
Hackett. ' 

"I was pleased to find that there was a 



LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 189 

marked increase of interest in the subject of 
religion and the Church, in the congregation ; 
and that, although they have not yet com- 
menced to build, the purpose is becoming 
more fixed in the minds of the people, while 
they have, in the mean time, commodiously 
fitted up a rented building for public worship, 
of which they have the exclusive use and con- 
trol. The congregation have also furnished 
their minister with a dwelling, free of rent. 
Mr. Hackett is very acceptable to the people, 
and, I trust, also highly useful and successful 
in turning the hearts of the disobedient to the 
wisdom of the just." 

While persisting in attempting to prosecute 
his labors during the inclemencies of winter, 
the Bishop was seized, in the month of Feb- 
ruary, 1857, with what he thought to be paral- 
ysis of the lower limbs, which disabled him 
from walking. He was obliged, in this sad state 
of things, to return home, where he remained 
under medical treatment for several weeks. 

Early in April, finding his health somewhat 



190 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

improved, he set out for Texas, and landed at 
Galveston on the 18th. Here he preached* 
and then proceeded to Houston. In journey- 
ing westward from this point, he travelled to 
Eichmond, a distance of twenty-nine miles, by 
railroads, — his first journey in Texas by that 
easy and expeditious mode of conveyance. 

Although the Bishop had got along pretty 
well, thus far, he was soon to be attacked by 
disease again. 

" On Friday, May 1st (he says), while mak- 
ing ready to take my seat in the stage-coach 
for Columbus (distant sixty miles), I was sud- 
denly seized with rheumatism, or neuralgia in 
the back, accompanied by the most excru- 
ciating pain, which totally disabled me for 
travelling. By this troublesome and most 
painful attack I was detained in Eichmond 
until May 11th ; and on that day had made 
up my mind to return to Houston, deeming it 
impossible for me to bear a journey of more 
than two hundred miles overland in my then 
state of suffering. 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 191 

" On Saturday, the 9th, the Eev. Mr. Pratt 
arrived, to keep his regular monthly appoint- 
ment, which was for the day following. He 
officiated, but I was unable to attend service. 
About the same time, the Rev. J. W. Dunn 
arrived, in a two-horse wagon, in which he 
had been conveying his family to the railroad 
terminus, on their way to the old States. And 
on Monday, 11th, after much hesitation, I 
suffered myself to be persuaded to start with 
him — the Rev. Mr. Pratt being also of our 
company. For the first ten miles of our jour- 
ney, the road being of the roughest kind, over 
what is called ' Nag-Wallow Prairie,' my suf- 
fering was intense ; and, at the end of that 
distance, I called a halt, with a view of turn- 
ing back. But, perceiving that my compan- 
ions would be much disappointed at such a 
course, I consented to go on. The road becom- 
ing smoother, I travelled with more ease, 
though in considerable pain, as was the case 
throughout the journey. When we reached 
our stand for the night, I was much ex- 



192 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

hausted, and tried in vain to obtain refresh- 
ment by sleep. After a sleepless night, we 
started again early next morning, and arrived 
at Columbus a little before night, where we 
were hospitably entertained by Colonel Rob- 
son, an intelligent and polished Scotch gentle- 
man. 

" The next day, May 13th, we had two ser- 
vices. The Rev. Mr. Dunn preached in the 
morning to a small congregation. At night I 
preached to a respectably-sized congregation, 
and confirmed six persons. The morning ser- 
vice was held in the Court-house — the evening, 
in the Lutheran church. The Rev. Mr. Pratt, 
the missionary, seems to have been doing a 
good work in his mission, which included 
Columbus, La Grange, and Richmond. He 
exhibited a list of six or seven more candidates 
for confirmation, who would have been present 
to receive that rite, could they have had timely 
notice." 

I Bishop Freeman reached Austin, the capita] 
of Texas, on the 21st of May ; and the next 



LIFE OF BISHOP FBEEMAN. 193 

morning (Ascension Day) he preached at the 
opening of the Convention. Eight clergymen, 
and lay delegates from seven parishes, were 
present. On Saturday, May 24th, the Conven- 
tion went into an election of Bishop, when, 
after two ballotings, the Eev. Alexander H. 
Vinton, D. D.,~of Boston, was chosen. Again 
Texas was to be disappointed, for this gentle- 
man also declined. 

On Monday, the 26th inst., Bishop Free- 
man presided for the last time in the Conven- 
tion ; and as there seemed every prospect that 
the diocese would now have a Bishop whose 
whole time could be devoted to its interests, 
he bade the delegates an affectionate farewell. 
The Bishop thus closes his last report to the 
Board of Missions : 

"I left Galveston on Thursday, June 7th, 

and, being detained at Napoleon four days, 

reached Little Bock on Thursday evening, 

June 18th. I arrived sick, and have continued 

so ever since until very recently. I have been 

unable to attend to official business, except 

17 



194 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

the writing of letters, and that with difficulty 
and only at intervals. The summer has been 
most oppressively warm, which has no doubt 
retarded my convalescence. In a short time, 
as the weather becomes cooler, I hope to 
be able to buckle on my armor again, and go 
forth to battle. The clerical force in Arkansas 
is still far too limited for the work to be done 
and the many loud calls in different parts of 
the State for help. 

" Only one clergyman has been added to our 
number since my last report — the Bev. "Wil- 
liam Binet, from the diocese of Pennsylvania, 
who is officiating at Van Buren and Fort 
Smith, and has, with my approbation, applied 
to the committee to be appointed missionary. 
The station at Fayetteville is still unoccupied ; 
and the interesting congregation there are 
grievously suffering for want of pastoral care. 
I am pleased to be able to state that there are 
now two candidates for orders in Arkansas, 
from whom I hope, in process of time, to 
obtain substantial aid. 



LITE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 195 

" The Diocesan School remains in a state of 
abeyance, both for want of an efficient clerical 
head — my efforts to obtain one having, so far, 
been utterly vain — and for lack of means to 
complete the purchase of the property. Two 
thovsand and five hundred dollars would have 
enabled me to secure a valuable property, in- 
alienable to the Church, for the purposes of 
Christian education ; but my efforts to obtain 
that sum, though strenuously and for several 
years put forth, have failed. Even promises 
from some quarters, on which I thought I 
might with confidence rely, have been ' broken 
to my hope ;' and I now nearly despair of ac- 
complishing an object dear to my heart, and 
to which, a year or two ago, I accustomed 
myself to look forward as the ground of hope 
to the Church in this destitute and forsaken 
portion of her borders." 



ONE LABORER IN A VAST FIELD— HARD WORK, AND LITTLE TO SHOW 
FOR IT— WHAT BISHOP FREEMAN HAD ACCOMPLISHED— LAST OFFI- 
CIAL ACT— ACCOUNT OF A TRAVELLER— JOYOUS DAY— THE END 
DRAWING NEAR— LAST HOURS— BURIAL— OUTLINE OF CHARACTER. 

}F a laborer, single-handed and alone, 
should be placed in the midst of ten 
thousand broad acres, and told to culti- 
vate them, he might here and there pluck 
up a noxious weed, and at intervals set out a 
thrifty shrub or tree, but an observer who 
took a hasty view of the whole, could discover 
little that had been done. 

It was such a fearful odds against which 
Bishop Freeman was called to struggle when 
he was sent forth into the extensive region of 
the Southwest which constituted his diocese. 
He travelled thousands of miles, preached 
almost times without number, baptized and 
confirmed hundreds, found many stray mem- 



LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 197 

bers of the Church in the wilderness, and 
strengthened their attachment for her. In 
short, he did everything that one man could 
be expected to accomplish, and yet, after all, 
the field is so wide, that the results appear 
to have been comparatively small. But he 
sowed good seed, and the harvest will yet be 
reaped. 

In January, 1858, Bishop Freeman came 
forth from his sick-room, to perform what 
proved to be his last official act. A traveller, 
who happened to be at Little Kock at the 
time, thus describes the scene : 

" On the second Sunday after Epiphany the 
Bight Bev. Missionary-Bishop of the South- 
west admitted to the Order of Deacons Mr. 
J. H. D. Wingfield, Principal of the Ashley 
Institute. There were present the Bev. A. F. 
Freeman, Bector of the parish ; the Bev. Otis 
Hackett, missionary at Helena ; and the Bev. 
W. 0. Stout, of the diocese of Mississippi. 
The morning service was read by the Bector, 

assisted by Mr. Stout. The ordination ser- 
17* 



198 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

mon was preached by Mr. Hackett, from Acts, 
xxviii. 22. It was an able argument in behalf 
of the Church, and a strong defence against 
numerous popular prejudices. 

" A painful interest was given to the occa- 
sion by the feebleness of the Bishop, who was 
conducted from his room, in his robes, during 
the sermon, his health and strength not being 
sufficient to sustain him through the whole 
service. 

" The venerable Bishop, after thirteen years 
of hard service in this State, leaving his sick- 
room to ordain the first Deacon, is a picture 
to look on. Shall he not have the sympathy 
and prayers of his brethren ? No one out of 
this field of labor knows what hardness the 
Bishop has had to endure. And now that he 
is broken in health and oppressed by his 
heavy charge, shall he not have help? He 
has, at no time, had laborers to fill the places 
that were crying to him for the services of the 
Church. Fields have been ripe to the harvest, 
bufr there was no one to reap. 



LIFE OF BISHOP FBEEMAX. 199 

" In the afternoon, the Rev. Mr. Wingfield, 
the new-made Deacon, put on his harness, 
and, after service by Mr. Hackett, assisted 
by Mr. Stout, preached from Acts, xvi. 34 — a 
discourse giving much promise of future use- 
fulness. Mr. "W'ingfield is the son of the Rev. 
John "W'ingfield, Rector of Trinity Church, 
Portsmouth, Virginia. He was admitted a 
candidate in Virginia, and after pursuing his 
studies some time, was transferred to this 
jurisdiction. We trust that a field of great 
usefulness is before him, and that he is the 
pioneer of the many that shall follow in his 
steps. 

" At night, after service by Mr. "Wingfield, 
Mr. Stout preached from Luke, xvi. 23, 24, 
on the certainty of future punishments ; and 
warning men against the seductions of ( science, 
falsely so called.' The day was altogether a 
joyful one to those who pray for the prosperity 
of our Zion in these parts." 

After his great effort to be present at the 
ordination just described, Bishop Freeman 



200 LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 

became gradually weaker and weaker; and 
on the 29th of April he departed this life, in 
the seventieth year of his age. 

His son thus speaks of the good man's 
death, in a letter to a friend : 

" It adds greatly to my affliction to have no 
evidence that my father was conscious of his 
approaching end, from the beginning to the 
termination of his sickness. His brain be- 
came affected early in his disease, and he 
remained unconscious to all external objects 
until the last fatal moment. Until five days 
before his death, he talked wildly and inco- 
herently, and these five days passed away 
without his receiving a particle of nourish- 
ment or even liquid of any kind into his 
mouth. The physician was amazed at the 
strength of his natural constitution. He never 
saw a man survive so long ; and said, if he 
had resided in another climate, with ordinary 
labor to perform, he might have lived over a 
hundred years. 

"I have no dying-words of my father's to 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 201 

treasure up, no final farewell for myself or 
any of his friends. I doubt not tliat God will 
remember his works and labors of love. "Wife, 
mother, and father have all gone down to the 
grave, and my house is left unto me desolate 
indeed. If my father had never left New 
Castle, I have every reason to believe he 
would be alive now — and my mother also; 
they both came to their deaths by exposure 
and hardships in this rugged country. But 
God knows what is best ; this is all His ap- 
pointment, and we must say, 'Thy will be 
done.' 

" That the good man died, giving no sign of 
triumphing faith, as regards our estimate of 
him it matters not. As to him and every one, 
the question should be, ' not how he died,' but 
' how he lived.' " 

On the day following his decease, the re- 
mains of Bishop Freeman were deposited in 
the same grave with those of his beloved wife. 
The burial-service was read by the Bev. Otis 
Hackett, assisted by the Bev. Mr. "Wingfield. 



202 LIFE OF BISHOP FKEEMAN. 

The portrait which adorns this volume 
will give the reader a correct idea of the 
Bishop's personal appearance. 

He was a good man, sound in judgment, 
unbending in his principles, and the very soul 
of honor and integrity. 

He had his faults and failings (and who, 
indeed, has not?), but the. sincere purpose of 
his heart was to glorify God. Bishop Free- 
man was gentle and affectionate in his family, 
faithful to his clergy, and devoted to the wel- 
fare of the Church. "Without being a deeply- 
learned man, his theological attainments were 
most respectable; and he possessed, what 
many more brilliant minds have been deficient 
in, soundness of judgment and strong common 
sense. 

" If I were called upon to define his eccle- 
siastical position," says Bishop Cobbs, of 
Alabama, "I should say that he was 'High 
Church/ in polity, and 'evangelical' in doc- 
trine. In his preaching he was thoroughly 
practical; and I never heard a sermon from 



LIFE OF BISHOP FREEMAN. 203 

him that was not marked by sound doctrine 
and solid sense." 

Like a true soldier, lie died on the field 
where he had been sent to do battle for the 
Church. He had not accomplished all that 
he had hoped for, but he was willing to leave 
the event with God. 



1 » I I homson Part n^w,. 



Thomson Park Drive 

(72;, b ^,T ship ' PA ' 6066 



